Lymphocytes found in MS lesions are thought to damage central nervous system tissues by secreting inflammatory molecules harmful to myelin and nerve cells. However, these cells also secrete neurotrophic factors, proteins that promote neural development and help protect injured or degenerating nerve cells. So far little is known about the potentially important role these proteins play in counteracting the effects of inflammation, but one recent study has contributed a bit more knowledge about the subject.
This study examined the production of several neurotrophic factors (such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)) by blood cells from 21 subjects with relapsing-remitting MS. Blood samples were taken during stable periods, during relapses, and during recovery from relapse. Levels of BDNF as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines were found to be higher during relapse, while production of other neurotrophins was increased post-relapse. Higher levels of neurotrophin production were associated with complete recovery from relapses, whereas higher levels of inflammatory cytokine production were associated with incomplete recovery. The authors note that immune cells appears to lose their neuroprotective potential in conjunction with age and disease duration ...Click to read entire study...Entrez PubMed