Stanley H. Appel
Abstract
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euroinflammation, characterized by activated microglia and infiltrating T cells, is
a prominent pathological feature in neurodegenerative diseases. However, whether this
inflammation contributes to neuronal injury or is a late consequence of neuronal
injury is unclear. In this issue of the JCI, Brochard et al. report
that CD4+ T cells are cytotoxic in a mouse model of Parkinson disease (PD)
(see the related article beginning on page 182). Specifically, invading T lymphocytes
contributed to neuronal cell death via the Fas/FasL pathway. The results implicate
the adaptive immune system in the pathogenesis of Parkinson neurodegeneration and
provide a meaningful rationale for immune-based therapies for PD.
