Central Nervous System Diseases and Inflammation

Up until approximately 20 years ago, the idea that the central nervous system (CNS) and components of the immune system were dynamically interactive was considered impossible (or at least highly unlikely) as the CNS was judged an immunosuppressive environment based upon experimental evidence highlighting the survival of tissue grafts within the brain. Additional evidence supporting this viewpoint included (i) the presence of the bloodbrain barrier (BBB) which p- vides a physical and physiological obstruction that is difficult for cells and mac- molecules to cross, (ii) the relative absence of MHC class I and II expression on CNS cells like astrocytes and neurons, and (iii) lack of abundant antigen presenting cells (APC) which are required for the generation of an adaptive immune response. However, in spite of these obstacles, it is now well-accepted that the CNS is r- tinely subject to immune surveillance under both normal as well as diseased con- tions. Indeed, activated cells of the immune system such as T and B lymphocytes and monocyte/macrophages readily infiltrate and accumulate within the CNS f- lowing microbial infection, injury, or upon development of autoimmune responses directed toward resident antigens of the CNS.