Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026
09:19
Improved 3D Hydrogel Cultures of Primary Glial Cells for In Vitro Modelling of Neuroinflammation
Published on: December 8, 2017
Systemic inflammatory cells fight off neurodegenerative disease
Michal Schwartz1, Ravid Shechter
1Department of Neurobiology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Herzl Street, 76100 Rehovot, Israel. michal.schwartz@weizmann.ac.il
Nature Reviews. Neurology
|June 10, 2010
Summary
Systemic immune cells are crucial for managing neuroinflammation in Alzheimer disease and ALS. Anti-inflammatory drugs may fail by blocking this essential immune cell recruitment to the central nervous system.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Neuroinflammation is implicated in Alzheimer disease (AD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
- Existing anti-inflammatory drug therapies show mixed efficacy in treating these neurodegenerative conditions.
- Local cytotoxic inflammation is present in AD and ALS, yet systemic treatments yield inconsistent results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a model reconciling inconsistent data on anti-inflammatory drug efficacy in neurodegenerative diseases.
- To highlight the distinct roles of resident and blood-derived immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS).
- To investigate how immune cell origin and activity influence disease progression.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual model development based on existing literature.
- Analysis of immune cell origins (resident vs. systemic) in neurodegeneration.
- Evaluation of immune cell activity (pro-inflammatory vs. anti-inflammatory).
Main Results:
- Systemic immune cells, including CD4(+) T cells and monocytes, are necessary for recruitment to the CNS.
- Recruited systemic immune cells modulate destructive local inflammation.
- Failure of anti-inflammatory drugs may stem from suppressed essential immune cell recruitment.
Conclusions:
- Distinct temporal and spatial contributions of resident and systemic leukocytes are critical for disease progression.
- Understanding these leukocyte dynamics is essential for developing effective therapeutic strategies for AD and ALS.
- Targeting immune cell recruitment, rather than broad suppression, may offer a more effective therapeutic approach.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:38Inflammation
Overview
01:15Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue
In the CNS, neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons from stem cells, is limited to the hippocampus in adults. In other regions of the brain and spinal cord, neurogenesis is almost non-existent due to inhibitory influences from neuroglia, especially oligodendrocytes, and the absence of growth-stimulating cues. The myelin produced by oligodendrocytes in the CNS inhibits neuronal regeneration. Furthermore, astrocytes proliferate rapidly after neuronal damage, forming scar tissue that physically...
01:28Inflammatory Response
An inflammatory response is a localized, nonspecific immune reaction that occurs when a tissue is injured. It is characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain, which are commonly called the cardinal signs and symptoms of inflammation. Inflammation can sometimes result in a loss of function.
Inflammation can be triggered by various stimuli, such as impact, abrasion, chemical irritation, infections, and extreme hot or cold temperatures. These can damage cells and connective tissue fibers,...
Inflammation can be triggered by various stimuli, such as impact, abrasion, chemical irritation, infections, and extreme hot or cold temperatures. These can damage cells and connective tissue fibers,...
01:24T Cell Types and Functions
When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
01:23Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...
01:37Neural Regulation
Digestion begins with a cephalic phase that prepares the digestive system to receive food. When our brain processes visual or olfactory information about food, it triggers impulses in the cranial nerves innervating the salivary glands and stomach to prepare for food.