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Understanding the Role of T Cells in CNS Homeostasis
Abstract
T cells within the central nervous system (CNS) have been generally considered pathogenic, especially in the context of neuroinflammatory disease. However, recent findings have revealed varied functions for T cells in the healthy CNS, as well as more complex roles for these cells in infection and injury than previously appreciated. Here we review evidence indicating important roles for different T cell subsets in the maintenance of CNS homeostasis. We examine the contribution of T cells in limiting inflammation and damage upon CNS injury, infection, and in neurodegeneration, and discuss the current understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved. Insight into these processes will shed light on the adverse effects of T cell-depleting therapies and present inroads into new therapeutic approaches for treating diseases affecting the CNS.
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“However, the idea that the CNS is an immune privileged organ has been reconsidered, as the functional immune cells can enter the CNS through the BBB, the choroid plexus, and the lymphatic vessels and have been described beyond neuropathological conditions (26, 35–47).”
From The gut-brain axis: how microbiota and host inflammasome influence brain physiology and pathology (2020) · cites this paper as [43]
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Metadata
- Authors
- Ellwardt, E., Walsh, J. T., Kipnis, J., & Zipp, F.
- Affiliations
- University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (DE)
- University of Virginia (US)
- Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Ellwardt, Erik
- Venue
- Trends in Immunology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2016-02
- Volume
- 37
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 154-165
- ISSN
- 1471-4906 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2233981766
- Cited by
- 156
- References
- 116
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 29 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 9
- FWCI
- 1.20
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Trends in Immunology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of General Medical Sciences (T32GM007267)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › T-cell and B-cell Immunology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Clinical Neurology › Multiple Sclerosis Research Studies
- Keywords
- T cells, CNS homeostasis, neuroinflammation, central nervous system injury, central nervous system infection, neurodegeneration, T cell subsets, neuroimmunology
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Central Nervous System, Homeostasis, Humans, Lymphocyte Depletion, T-Lymphocytes, T-Lymphocyte Subsets, Neurogenic Inflammation
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