2024-01-23 00:30:48
Nature: First demonstration of the impact of autoreactive T lymphocytes on human disease
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Science Immunology: The evolution of the human immune system in the post-COVID-19 era
Release date: January 23, 2024
Nature: First demonstration of the impact of autoreactive T lymphocytes on human disease
People with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) face a rare and heterogeneous peripheral nervous system disorder that is often triggered by a previous infection and leads to severe muscle weakness. In Europe and the United States, there are approximately 1 to 2 cases per 100,000 people per year.
GBS usually starts with weakness and tingling in the legs, then spreads to the arms and upper body, making it difficult to walk or move. In severe cases, paralysis can affect the breathing muscles. Although GBS is considered an autoimmune disease, its underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown, making accurate diagnosis and effective treatment a challenge.
Recently, a new study published in the journal Nature, led by Daniela Latorre, head of the SNSF PRIMA group at the Institute of Microbiology at ETH Zurich, reveals a key aspect of the pathophysiology of GBS. This work, in close collaboration with clinical scientists at the University Hospital Zurich and the Neurological Center of Southern Switzerland (EOC) in Lugano, examined autoimmune factors that may contribute to the disease.
Autoreactive T cells target peripheral nerves
Using sensitive experimental methods, Latorre’s team found that in GBS patients, immune system-specific cells called T lymphocytes invade nerve tissue and build up the nerve fibers’ insulating layer, called myelin. as target.
Normally, T lymphocytes play a vital role in our immune system by identifying and eliminating threats such as infections and abnormal cells. However, in rare cases, they mistakenly attack the body’s own tissues, causing autoimmune diseases.
“We found that these autoreactive T lymphocytes are only present in patients with a type of GBS characterized by nerve demyelination and display a specific disease-related signature that distinguishes them from healthy individuals,” Latorre explain. These findings are the first to demonstrate the impact of autoreactive T lymphocytes on human disease.
Additionally, researchers found in a group of GBS patients after viral infection that T lymphocytes responded to both self-antigens and viral antigens in the peripheral nerves (myelin sheath), demonstrating a direct link between disease development and triggers from previous infections. connect.
Current treatments are effective for many GBS patients, but lack specificity, and about 20% of patients remain severely disabled or die. Overall, the research team’s work provides new insights into our understanding of GBS, opening up avenues for further study of larger patient groups and deciphering the immune mechanisms of different GBS variants. This new knowledge could lead to targeted treatments for specific GBS subtypes, potentially improving patient care.
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