The Role Of TH-GM Cells In Multiple Sclerosis

A study in mice shows that targeting the IL-7-STAT5 pathway could be a promising way to treat autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

AsianScientist (Dec. 2, 2014) – The discovery of a new type of immune cell could lead to better treatments for autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). The paper documenting this finding has been published in Cell Research.

A multidisciplinary research team from the National University of Singapore (NUS) led by Professor Fu Xin-Yuan and Dr. Sheng Wanqiang, has found that a new type of immune T helper cells named TH-GM cells play a crucial role in the immune system and pathogenesis of neuronal inflammation. The findings shed light on a possible new avenue for therapeutic intervention, which can be used independently or in conjunction with other treatment options to improve outcomes in the treatment of MS.

Working with Dr. Zhang Yong-Liang from the Department of Microbiology at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Prof. Fu and his team showed that a protein called STAT5 programs TH-GM and initiates the immune response to self antigens. STAT5 signaling in turn was found to be triggered in response to an immune protein called IL-7, causing neuro-inflammation and damage in the central nervous system.

MS is the most prevalent autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, affecting about 2.5 million people globally, with cases showing a higher prevalence in Northern Europe. Despite many years of research, the causes of MS are largely unclear and the disease remains incurable.

The present study offers an important insight into the mechanisms behind MS and suggests that blocking either IL-7 or STAT5 would provide a significant therapeutic benefit.

The STAT family of proteins and their signalling pathways (called JAK-STAT) were originally discovered by Prof. Fu and his colleagues in 1992. Disturbance of this pathway was shown to be a major cause for many kinds of inflammatory diseases. Novel medicines interfering with JAK-STAT have since been approved in the United States, Europe and Singapore and annual sales of medicines involving JAK-STAT are expected to exceed US$1.6 billion in 2016.

The newly discovered IL-7-STAT5 pathway in neuro-inflammation significantly expands this line of medical research, development and therapeutic intervention in a number of major diseases. Moving forward, Prof. Fu and his team are researching the physiological function of TH-GM cells to further the development of therapy for various human autoimmune diseases.

The article can be found at: Sheng et al. (2014) STAT5 Programs a Distinct Subset of GM-CSF-Producing T Helper Cells That is Essential for Autoimmune Neuroinflammation.

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Source: National University of Singapore.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.

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