Trends In Neuroimmunology

Immunology has developed quite impressively over the past decade and perhaps very few fields in medicine or biology have grown so explosively. Completely new fields have been elucidated in depth. We recall only the definition of the nature and function of RLA antigens at the molecular level. the chemical and functional identification of several cytokines. and the correlation to particular immunological functions of specific epitopes present on cellular mem branes. The extensive application of immunological techniques and concepts to the neurological sciences has led to the development of neuroimmunology. a disci pline in its infancy until few years ago. In these last years. neuroimmunology has developed researches in various fields. RLA antigens were studied at the cellular level in brain samples and in CSF cells in several diseases. Cytokines. such as interleukin 1 and 2. gamma- and alpha-interferons. and tumor necrosis factor alpha. were studied at the immunohistological level and with quantitative methods in serum and CSF. With these data. new relevant insights were obtained on the molecular mechanisms underlying CNS immunological diseases. Moreover. neuroimmunological researches were carried on through the development of new and more 'specific' technologies for the study of natural and experimental diseases. the most important of which seem to be. at present. the techniques of cell cultures for cell lines specific to the CNS (oligodendrocytes. astroglia. microglia. meningeal cells. brain capillary cells and tumor cells).

The functional anatomy of organisms is maintained by the coordination of different systems, that often rely on particular interactions between specialized cells and between macromolecules. The immune system works with the circulatory and the lymphatic systems to protect most of the organs. However, some organs are considered immune privileged due to the presence of highly selective and regulated barriers, such as the blood-brain barrier (BBB) within the brain. The BBB controls periphery-brain molecule exchange and prevents immune effector cells from entering the homeostatic brain. BBB-associated elements, such as endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, and microglia, potentially can function as antigen-presenting cells (APC). Pathological scenarios that induce dysfunction of the BBB and its associated cells may lead to the infiltration of lymphocytes crossing over from the blood to brain. Similarly, traumas can also enable B and T lymphocytes to pass bidirectionally between the CNS and the periphery, via the meningeal lymphatic vessels which drain into the cervical lymph nodes. Research in animals and in humans has revealed that B and T cells are involved in the progression of neurological diseases. It has been showed that under particular conditions, T cells establish themselves and become resident in the brain (T RM cells), from where they can either exert beneficial or detrimental effects on brain function. Amazing efforts have been made to further comprehend interactions between brain-specific cells and peripheral immune cells, and especially their roles and impact on the onset, progression, and eventual resolution of diverse brain pathologies.

First multi-year cumulation covers six years: 1965-70.

Proceedings of the Third Conference of the Institute of Developmental Neuroscience and Aging, held in Torino, Italy, April 5-7, 1990

Translational NeuroImmunology: Neuroinflammation updates on bench to bedside studies on neurological disorders that have immunological etiologies. The book covers neuroimmunology and the principles of autoimmune and autoinflammatory neurological disorders, with multiple sclerosis as the main focus. The immunopathology, genetics and epigenetics, microbiome, diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis will be explained in ten chapters. A chapter also examines distinct aspects of pericytes, with final discussions on the neurologic manifestations, diagnostic approaches and treatments of the various neuroimmune disorders and lessons learned from translational research on non-human primates and zebrafish. All sections are presented in an accessible, practical format, making this volume a valuable resource for immunologists, neurologists and researchers in translational biomedical research. Gives an introduction on neuroimmunological diseases, from bench to bedside Encourages the development of immunologic approaches to analyze the interaction and specific properties of nervous tissue elements during development and disease Focuses on understanding and therapeutically manipulating immunological responses to injury, degeneration and autoimmunity in the central nervous system Proves changes in relevant immune and inflammatory reactions at the cellular and molecular level during the development of nervous system diseases

The diseases that fall under the generalized group of demyelinating diseases -Multiple Sclerosis, Leukodystrophyes, Encephalomyelitis-are the focus of worldwide concern. This volume contains papers presented by leading scientists who attended the NATO Advanced Research Workshop held at the Istituto Superiore di SanitA, Rome, March 1-4, 1993. This book is an update of the previous one published in 1987 of the research discussed at a similar meeting held in 1986. It was decided to hold this 2nd meeting since there has been great progress in the advances in understanding the myelinogenesis process in the last five years. The workshop gathered together scientists from many fields such as cellular and molecular biology, immunology, pathology, virology and of course clinical neurology. Stimulating ideas were exchanged in the hope that more knowledge of demyelinating diseases can lead to new theraupetic approaches. Although the workshop was on the whole similar to the previous one, this time there was more emphasis on experimental models and clinical aspects. In the former the use of animal and cellular models as tools for understanding the pathological mechanisms linked to human disease were discussed; in the latter the clinicians described the filtering down of basic research to clinical treatment The publication of this interdisciplinary exchange is to make known the results of the most recent research among the investigators from allover the world involved in these studies.