Critical Reviews™ in Immunology

ISSN for PRINT: 1040-8401

For Online Access

Best Paper Award Selection - Editorial Board Site

2006, Volume26

Issue 2

96 pages

Issue price - $142.00

Samantha L. Bailey
Department of Microbiology-Immunology and The Interdepartmental Immunobiology Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611; Authors contributed equally to this review

Pamela A. Carpentier
Department of Microbiology-Immunology and The Interdepartmental Immunobiology Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611; Authors contributed equally to this review

Eileen J. McMahon
Biology Department, Westmont College, 955 LaPaz Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108

Wendy Smith Begolka
Department of Microbiology-Immunology and The Interdepartmental Immunobiology Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611

Stephen D. Miller
Department of Microbiology-Immunology and The Interdepartmental Immunobiology Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611

The central nervous system (CNS) is an immunologically specialized organ. The blood-brain barrier regulates the passage of molecules and cells into the CNS. Robust immune responses occur in the CNS even though there is normally an absence of MHC molecules, lack of normal lymphatic drainage, and reduced immune surveillance. This review discusses the immunological elements of the healthy CNS and the pattern of responses that evolve during innate and adaptive immunity in this organ. We also discuss the contribution of astrocytes, cerebrovascular endothelial cells, microglia, macrophages, and dendritic cells to the integrity and pathology of the CNS during CD4⁺ Т-cell autoimmune responses directed against neuroantigens.

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