Abstract
It is being increasingly recognized that a dysregulation of the immune system plays a vital role in neurological disorders and shapes the treatment of the disease. Aberrant T cell responses, in particular, are key in driving autoimmunity and have been traditionally associated with multiple sclerosis. Yet, it is evident that there are other neurological diseases in which autoreactive T cells have an active role in pathogenesis. In this review, we report on the recent progress in profiling and assessing the functionality of autoreactive T cells in central nervous system (CNS) autoimmune disorders that are currently postulated to be primarily T cell driven. We also explore the autoreactive T cell response in a recently emerging group of syndromes characterized by autoantibodies against neuronal cell-surface proteins. Common methodology implemented in T cell biology is further considered as it is an important determinant in their detection and characterization. An improved understanding of the contribution of autoreactive T cells expands our knowledge of the autoimmune response in CNS disorders and can offer novel methods of therapeutic intervention.
Highlights
Autoimmunity is believed to be the underlying cause in a growing number of neurological disorders
The levels of Th17 cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) patients were elevated in comparison to non-inflammatory neurological disease controls, whereas there were no differences in the percentages of IFN-γ-secreting Th1 cells [90]
As IL-12 is concomitant with T cell activation and function, the increase of this cytokine likely promotes the expansion of autoreactive T cells in paraneoplastic syndromes [118, 145]. These results collectively suggest that paraneoplastic encephalitides are mediated by cytotoxic, antigen-specific CD8+ T cells, in which onconeuronal antibodies may exist as an epiphenomenon
Summary
Autoimmunity is believed to be the underlying cause in a growing number of neurological disorders. The levels of Th17 cells in the CSF of relapsing MS patients were elevated in comparison to non-inflammatory neurological disease controls, whereas there were no differences in the percentages of IFN-γ-secreting Th1 cells [90]. Analysis of the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire in the CNS and periphery of RE patients revealed clonal expansions of CD8+ T cells in both compartments, suggesting the presence of an antigen-specific T cell response [130].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
