Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a severe progressive neurodegenerative disease. The cause is unknown, but genetic abnormalities have been identified in subjects with familial ALS and also in subjects with sporadic ALS. Environmental factors such as occupational exposure have been shown to be risk factors for the development of ALS. Patients differ in their clinical features and differ in the clinical course of disease. Immune abnormalities have been found in the central nervous system by pathological studies and also in the blood and CSF of subjects with ALS. Inflammation and immune abnormalities are also found in animals with a model of ALS due to mutations in the SOD1 gene. Previously it has been considered that immune abnormalities might contribute to the pathogenesis of disease. However more recently it has become apparent that an immune response can occur as a response to damage to the nervous system and this can be protective.
Keywords: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, biomarkers, immunity, inflammation, lymphocytes, protective immunity, T cells, neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune diseases, dementia, heterogeneity, astrocytes, gene expression, nuclear medicine technology, PET imaging
Current Molecular Medicine
Title: The Role of Immune and Inflammatory Mechanisms in ALS
Volume: 11 Issue: 3
Author(s): P. A. McCombe and R. D. Henderson
Affiliation:
Keywords: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, biomarkers, immunity, inflammation, lymphocytes, protective immunity, T cells, neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune diseases, dementia, heterogeneity, astrocytes, gene expression, nuclear medicine technology, PET imaging
Abstract: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a severe progressive neurodegenerative disease. The cause is unknown, but genetic abnormalities have been identified in subjects with familial ALS and also in subjects with sporadic ALS. Environmental factors such as occupational exposure have been shown to be risk factors for the development of ALS. Patients differ in their clinical features and differ in the clinical course of disease. Immune abnormalities have been found in the central nervous system by pathological studies and also in the blood and CSF of subjects with ALS. Inflammation and immune abnormalities are also found in animals with a model of ALS due to mutations in the SOD1 gene. Previously it has been considered that immune abnormalities might contribute to the pathogenesis of disease. However more recently it has become apparent that an immune response can occur as a response to damage to the nervous system and this can be protective.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
A. McCombe P. and D. Henderson R., The Role of Immune and Inflammatory Mechanisms in ALS, Current Molecular Medicine 2011; 11 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156652411795243450
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156652411795243450 |
Print ISSN 1566-5240 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5666 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Therapeutical Potential of CB<sub>2</sub> Receptors in Immune-Related Diseases
Current Molecular Pharmacology Sodium Benzenesulfinates: Novel and Effective Organo Catalyst for Three Component Synthesis 5,6,7,8-Tetrahydro-4H-chromene Derivatives Under Ultrasound Irradiation
Letters in Organic Chemistry Under the Microscope: Focus on Chlamydia pneumoniae Infection and Multiple Sclerosis
Current Neurovascular Research Prion Protein Misfolding
Current Molecular Medicine The Role of Inflammation in Neurological Disorders
Current Pharmaceutical Design Nanocarriers for Tracking and Treating Diseases
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Gut-Brain Axis, Including the Microbiome, Leaky Gut and Bacterial Translocation: Mechanisms and Pathophysiological Role in Alzheimer’s Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design <i>In-silico</i> Prediction of the Beta-carboline Alkaloids Harmine and Harmaline as Potent Drug Candidates for the Treatment of Parkinson’s disease
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Control and Role of Plateau Potential Properties in the Spinal Cord
Current Pharmaceutical Design Neuroprotective Effects of Ellagitannins: A Brief Review
Current Drug Targets Low Molecular Weight Compounds with Transition Metals as Free Radical Scavengers and Novel Therapeutic Agents
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Drug Repurposing: Promises of Edaravone Target Drug in Traumatic Brain Injury
Current Medicinal Chemistry Neuroinflammation and Neuroprotection: An Update on (Future) Neurotrophin-Related Strategies in Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
Current Medicinal Chemistry Tracking Stem Cells for Cellular Therapy in Stroke
Current Pharmaceutical Design Commentary: Neurorestoratology: A Concept and Emerging Discipline in the Treatment of Neurological Disorders
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Blood-Brain Barrier and Breast Cancer Resistance Protein: A Limit to the Therapy of CNS Tumors and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Iron and Iron Chelators: A Review on Potential Effects on Skin Aging
Current Aging Science Applications of High Content Screening in Life Science Research
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Mechanisms of Oxidative Glutamate Toxicity: The Glutamate/Cystine Antiporter System xc¯ as a Neuroprotective Drug Target
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets p53-Induced Apoptosis and Inhibitors of p53
Current Medicinal Chemistry