Does the role of Th17/Treg cells differ depending on the disease stage?

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16H07356
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Neurology
• Research Institution: Kindai University
• Principal Investigator: TSUNODA Ikuo 近畿大学, 医学部, 教授 (00261529)
• Research Collaborator: OMURA Seiichi 近畿大学, 医学部, 助教 (80462480)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-08-26 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: ウイルス / 多発性硬化症 / 免疫学 / 自己免疫 / 動物モデル / 神経ウイルス学 / Tリンパ球 / トランスレーショナルリサーチ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In mulitple sclerosis (MS), it has been proposed that IL-17-producing T helper (Th)17 cells are detrimental, and regulatory T cells (Tregs) are protective. Using a viral model for MS, Theiler's murine encephalomyelitits virus (TMEV)-induced demyelinating disease (TMEV-IDD), we aimed to clarify the roles of Th17 cells and Tregs. Using methods to increase the numbers of Th17 cells or Tregs ("gain-of-function" approach), we found that Th17 cells have three roles: 1) exacerbation of inflammation, 2) suppression of anti-viral immunity, and 3) neuroprotection and that Tregs have two roles: 1) suppression of inflammation and 2) suppression of anti-viral immunity. Therefore, Th17 cells and Tregs may play either beneficial or detrimental roles in MS, depending on the causes or disease course. These findings can be used for future tailor-made treatment of MS, in which Th17 cells and Tregs should be modulated depending on the conditions of patients with MS.

Free Research Field

ウイルス学