Human TH17 lymphocytes promote blood-brain barrier disruption and central nervous system inflammation

Nat Med. 2007 Oct;13(10):1173-5. doi: 10.1038/nm1651. Epub 2007 Sep 9.

Abstract

T(H)17 lymphocytes appear to be essential in the pathogenesis of numerous inflammatory diseases. We demonstrate here the expression of IL-17 and IL-22 receptors on blood-brain barrier endothelial cells (BBB-ECs) in multiple sclerosis lesions, and show that IL-17 and IL-22 disrupt BBB tight junctions in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, T(H)17 lymphocytes transmigrate efficiently across BBB-ECs, highly express granzyme B, kill human neurons and promote central nervous system inflammation through CD4+ lymphocyte recruitment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blood-Brain Barrier / drug effects
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cell Membrane Permeability
  • Cell Movement / immunology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Central Nervous System / physiopathology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Endothelial Cells / immunology
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Endothelium, Vascular / immunology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Granzymes / immunology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / etiology
  • Inflammation / physiopathology*
  • Interleukin-17 / immunology
  • Interleukin-17 / pharmacology
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology
  • Multiple Sclerosis / pathology
  • Receptors, Interleukin / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / enzymology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology*
  • Tight Junctions / metabolism
  • Tight Junctions / pathology

Substances

  • Interleukin-17
  • Receptors, Interleukin
  • interleukin-22 receptor
  • Granzymes