Reactions of the immune system in chronic degenerative neurological diseases

Can J Neurol Sci. 1991 Aug;18(3 Suppl):376-9. doi: 10.1017/s0317167100032479.

Abstract

Elements consistent with a cell mediated immune response were identified immunohistochemically in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) spinal cord and Alzheimer disease (AD) hippocampus. T helper/inducer and cytotoxic/suppressor lymphocytes were detected in affected tissues in both diseases. In addition, abundant reactive microglia were found expressing the major histocompatibility glycoproteins HLA-A,B,C and HLA-DR, as well as receptors for the Fc chain (Fc gamma R1), for complement 3 and 4, and for vitronectin. In AD, the complement proteins C1q, C4d, C3d and C5b-9 were found on dystrophic neurites, neuropile threads and some neurofibrillary tangles. In ALS, the only complement proteins identified were C4d and C3d. The integrin ligands vitronectin and ICAM-1 were also identified in affected tissues in both diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / immunology*
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / immunology*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Humans
  • Immune System / metabolism*
  • Immunity, Cellular
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Proteins / immunology
  • Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Proteins