What is it about?
Autoimmune diseases can be caused by "rouge" immune T cells that attack, rather than protect, the host. In multiple sclerosis (MS), IL-6 triggers rouge Th17 cells to attack myelin in the CNS, precipitating eventual loss of nerve function. Remarkably, this attack can be switched off by Treg cells: these Treg release "LIF", a stem cell growth factor, that directly opposes IL-6. Moreover, Treg / LIF also repair disease-damaged myelin and directly protect the nerves.
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Why is it important?
The discovery that LIF controls Treg for self-tolerant immunity, in addition to LIF's directly opposing IL-6-driven TH17 immunity, has profound therapeutic implications in autoimmune diseases. Moreover, since Treg release LIF, Treg carry properties of stem cells - bringing the healing power of stem cells to their micro-environment. Thus LIF/Treg bring three-fold benefit to treat MS: (i) resetting self-tolerance to myelin; (ii) repairing myelin; and (iii) protecting nerve function. In contrast, today's MS therapies are immune suppressive only : none protect the brain.
Perspectives
Recognition of the unique "stemness" properties of Treg brings new understanding of how natural health is maintained across systems in the adult, including within the central nervous system. Notably, cell-based therapy may be replaced by a synthetic formulation of LIF - LIFNano™ - to create a safe. synthetic stem cell, providing a scalable solution in the new era of regenerative medicine.
SU Metcalfe
University of Cambridge
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Stem Cell Therapy Versus T Lymphocytes: Friend or Foe?, Stem Cells, January 2015, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1002/stem.1863.
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