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Are Neuropeptide-Reactive T Cells behind Narcolepsy?
M Elizabeth Deerhake1, William E Barclay1, Mari L Shinohara2
1Department of Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27705, USA.
Immunity
|November 22, 2018
Summary
Narcolepsy may be an autoimmune disorder. Researchers found autoreactive T-cells targeting hypocretin in narcolepsy patients, supporting an immune system origin for this sleep disorder.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Sleep Medicine
- Autoimmunity
Background:
- Narcolepsy has a suspected autoimmune origin, linked to specific MHC class II alleles.
- Previous research suggested a genetic predisposition involving the immune system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the autoimmune basis of narcolepsy.
- To identify specific immune responses in narcolepsy patients.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of T-cell responses in narcolepsy patients.
- Identification of target antigens recognized by autoreactive T-cells.
Main Results:
- Narcolepsy patients exhibited autoreactive T-cells.
- These T-cells were specific to the neuronal antigen hypocretin.
Conclusions:
- The findings provide strong evidence for an autoimmune etiology of narcolepsy.
- Targeting hypocretin by autoreactive T-cells is implicated in the disease's pathogenesis.
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