Immune regulation and CNS autoimmune disease

The central nervous system is a demonstrated target of both clinical and ex perimental immune mediated disorders. Immune regulatory mechanisms operativ e at the levels of the systemic immune system, the blood brain barrier, and within the CNS parenchyma are important determinants of the intensity and duration of the tissue directed injury. Convergence of research, involving direct manipulation of specific cells and molecular mediators in animal mod els and in vitro analysis of human immune and neural cells and tissues, is providing increasing insight into the role of these immune regulatory funct ions and their potential to serve as therapeutic targets. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.