Protective Immune Response to Spinal Cord Injuries

Author: University of Virginia Health System
Published: 2015/02/05 - Updated: 2021/09/08
Contents: Summary - Main - Related Publications

Synopsis: Interleukin-33 is released upon injury and activates cells called glia, beginning protective response and promoting recovery. Interleukin-33, also known as IL-33, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the IL33 gene. IL-33 is a member of the IL-1 family that potently drives production of T helper-2 (Th2)-associated cytokines (e.g., IL-4). Researchers have identified a strong connection between interleukin-33 and Alzheimer's disease, and our work will pave the way for future studies on this topic.

Main Digest

Hot on the heels of discovering a protective form of immune response to spinal cord injury, researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have pinpointed the biological trigger for that response - a vital step toward being able to harness the body's defenses to improve treatment for spine injuries, brain trauma, Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.

Interleukin-33, also known as IL-33, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the IL33 gene. IL-33 is a member of the IL-1 family that potently drives production of T helper-2 (Th2)-associated cytokines (e.g., IL-4). IL33 is a ligand for IL33R (IL1RL1), an IL-1 family receptor that is selectively expressed on Th2 cells and mast cells. IL-33 is expressed on a wide variety of cell types, including fibroblasts, mast cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, osteoblasts, endothelial cells, and epithelial cells.

The trigger for the immune response, the molecule interleukin-33, is concentrated in what is known as "white matter" in the healthy brain and spinal cord. Interleukin-33, the researchers have discovered, is released upon injury and activates cells called glia, beginning the body's protective response and promoting recovery.

"It's the first thing that tells the immune system that something's been damaged," explained UVA's Sachin Gadani, the lead author of a new paper outlining the discovery. "It's how the immune system initially knows to respond."

The researchers aren't sure if interleukin-33 has other roles to play in addition to its role in injury response.

"Interleukin-33 must be important to the central nervous system. It is expressed all the time - even in the healthy state - and we've only described its activity after injury," said Jonathan Kipnis, PhD, professor in the Department of Neuroscience and director of the Center for Brain Immunology and Glia.

"From an evolutionary perspective it makes little sense. The system produces this constantly just in case of injury that may never come? I'd be surprised if there was no function beyond injury. IL-33 may represent a language through which CNS is constantly talking with the immune system - or, in other words, a molecular mind-body connection."

Kipnis noted that problems with interleukin-33 could contribute to poor outcomes after spine or brain injuries.

"It's possible that if there's some problem with this molecule in patients, they will have poor alarm signaling, and they will have very poor outcomes," he said.

The discovery also sheds light on previous findings connecting interleukin-33 to Alzheimer's disease.

"There's a huge link," Gadani said. "Researchers have identified a strong connection between interleukin-33 and Alzheimer's disease, and our work will pave the way for future studies on this topic."

Eventually, the findings could lead to both improved treatments and new diagnostic tests for brain and spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's and other conditions.

Kipnis saluted Gadani for his contributions to the work - contributions all the more impressive considering that Gadani is still a graduate student in UVA's Medical Scientist Training Program.

"He came in with this idea, and from the initial idea to the final paper, he drove the research. And he's only in his third year of graduate school," Kipnis said. "Credit goes to our MST program that it is able to recruit such a high caliber of students."

The findings have been published online by Neuron, a premier neuroscience journal for peer-reviewed research. The article was authored by Gadani, James T. Walsh, Igor Smirnov, Jingjing Zheng and Kipnis.

Attribution/Source(s):

This quality-reviewed publication pertaining to our Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) section was selected for circulation by the editors of Disabled World due to its likely interest to our disability community readers. Though the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or length, the article "Protective Immune Response to Spinal Cord Injuries" was originally written by University of Virginia Health System, and submitted for publishing on 2015/02/05 (Edit Update: 2021/09/08). Should you require further information or clarification, University of Virginia Health System can be contacted at the virginia.edu website. Disabled World makes no warranties or representations in connection therewith.

📢 Discover Related Topics


👍 Share This Information To:
𝕏.com Facebook Reddit

Page Information, Citing and Disclaimer

Disabled World is an independent disability community founded in 2004 to provide disability news and information to people with disabilities, seniors, their family and/or carers. You can connect with us on social media such as X.com and our Facebook page.

Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/types/spinal/interleukin-33.php">Protective Immune Response to Spinal Cord Injuries</a>

Cite This Page (APA): University of Virginia Health System. (2015, February 5). Protective Immune Response to Spinal Cord Injuries. Disabled World. Retrieved March 29, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/disability/types/spinal/interleukin-33.php

Disabled World provides general information only. Materials presented are never meant to substitute for qualified professional medical care. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.