Cell Rep: Study reveals role of immune cells in brain infections.

September 17, 2020 /--- -- A new study details the destructive effects of the immune system in severe brain diseases, most often caused by the herpes virus.
researchers have identified specific types of immune cells that cause inflammation of the brain caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis.
, they also identified the signaling protein that introduces this immune cell from the blood into the brain.
findings, published in the journal Cell Reports, could help develop targeted treatments for brain infections, the most common cause of viral encephalitis worldwide.
, a senior clinical scientist at the University of Liverpool, explained: "Determining the role of specific immune cells and the factors that keep them through the blood-brain barrier is critical to the development of targeted immunotherapy.
" researchers used mouse models to show that neophilic granulocytes, an immune cell, make the blood-brain barrier more permeable and cause brain damage associated with HSV encephalitis.
they also found that controlling these viruses did not require these neutral granulocytes.
, the researchers found that monocytes were necessary to control the virus and prevent brain damage.
researchers also identified the exact signaling protein, called CXCL1, which drives these destructive neutral granulocytes to the brain during HSV infection.
by blocking this CXCL1 protein, neophils can be prevented from crossing the blood-brain barrier and causing inflammation, thereby reducing serious disease.
these findings make the CXCL1 protein an attractive target for new treatments that can stem the flow of harmful white blood cells without limiting the role of protective white blood cells.
Michael, said: "Despite antiviral treatments for HSV encephalitis, there is currently no licensed treatment for severe brain swelling.
sometimes use steroids, but because steroids can broadly suppress the immune system, there is an unsupertinable risk of viral infection.
urgent need for targeted treatments to prevent destructive immune cells from entering the brain.
.com Source: Researchers identify key role of immune cells in brains from: Benedict D. Michael et al, Astrocyte-and Neuron-Derived CXCL1 Drives Neutrophil Transmigration and Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability in Viral Enitis, Cell Reports (2020). DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108150.