Stroke: Harmful Effect of Immune Cells
March 15th 2010 -
Run stroke harmless in the absence of certain immune cells in the blood. The T-cells of the immune system that are normally responsible for defense against pathogens, also play a role in stroke. About this previously unknown mechanism, researchers at the University of Wurzburg.
The researchers worked with mice, which were missing due to a genetic defect of the T-cells. They had smaller strokes than regular mice. They also developed after the stroke less neurological deficits such as paralysis. The T-cells have a negative effect on the course of stroke, the conclusion among researchers. “The fact that T cells engaged in acute stroke, such a damaging effect came as a complete surprise for us,” says Christoph Kleinschnitz of the Neurological University Clinic. The harmful effect of going back to two subsets of immune cells, the so-called CD4 and CD8-positive T-helper cells.
How to strengthen the T-cells have a stroke, is still unclear. Two possible mechanisms included the scientists from Würzburg experimentally. The T cells did not promote the clumping of platelets themselves, nor, therefore, the formation of blood clots. “Secondly, they stoke the process even in the form of a specific immune response,” says neuro immunologists Heinz Wiendl. Further research will now clarify how T cells exert their damaging effect and whether the results are transferable to humans. Thus it is conceivable in the early phase of stroke, the adverse group of T-cells turn off temporarily alleviate the deficiency symptoms.
A stroke is the result of a sudden cerebral attack. The neurons in the brain receive too little oxygen and nutrients – they die. Around 200,000 people a year suffer a stroke. They are the most common cause of permanent disability in industrialized nations and are considered economically expensive disease.
Tags: damaging effect, immune cells, paralysis, stroke, T-cells
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