The promise of anti-inflammatory therapies for CNS injuries and diseases

Abstract

It remains controversial as to whether the inflammatory response plays a beneficial or detrimental role for cerebral tissue. There is substantial evidence that molecules of the innate immune reaction can be harmful to neurons and oligodendrocytes, whereas other observations indicate that inflammation is actually beneficial to recovery after injuries. One of the beneficial consequences of the immune reaction by microglia is the release of neurotrophic factors that have essential roles in brain homeostasis, neuroprotection and repair in cases of injury. Another important action of microglia is the clearance of cell debris and toxic proteins in order to prevent their accumulation in the extracellular space. Such beneficial effects of subsets of innate immune cells have to be taken into serious consideration in the planning of clinical trials using anti-inflammatory drugs for CNS diseases, which have failed so far. This very important subject has been discussed at the 13th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Experimental Neurotherapeutics in Bethesda, MD, USA. © 2011 Expert Reviews Ltd.