Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor as a mediator of autoimmunity in multiple sclerosis

J Neuroimmunol. 2018 Oct 15:323:1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2018.07.002. Epub 2018 Jul 5.

Abstract

Autoreactive, myelin-specific, CD4+ T cells have a central role in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis; however the exact phenotype characteristics of these cells remain elusive. Recently, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) expression has emerged as the main pathological signature of the encephalogenicity in both T and B cell compartment. In this review we have summarized the current data supporting GM-CSF relevance in MS pathophysiology, in the context of both immunomodulatory and neuroinflammatory processes; as well as the potential cellular sources of this stimulating factor, including different T and B cell subsets.

Keywords: EAE; GM-CSF; GM-CSF producing Th cells; Immunomodulation; Multiple sclerosis; Neuroinflammation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmunity / drug effects*
  • Autoimmunity / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / immunology
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / pharmacology
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / methods
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology

Substances

  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor