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

Kebir, Hania; Kreymborg, Katharina; Ifergan, Igal; Dodelet-Devillers, Aurore; Cayrol, Romain; Bernard, Monique; Giuliani, Fabrizio; Arbour, Nathalie et al. · Nat Med · 2007

basic_science · Level V

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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.

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