Type 1 Interferons Cool the Inflamed Brain

Type 1 interferons and myositis

Recent studies suggest a mechanistic role for molecules induced by type 1 interferons in the pathogenesis of some forms of myositis. For dermatomyositis, evidence that these molecules injure myofibers seems especially strong. In the group of disorders known as polymyositis, the study of blood samples suggests a potential role. It is unknown what drives the sustained presence of type 1 interfero...

Consequences of the Inflamed Brain

apy, peripheral nerve damage, and heart attack can lead to poor memory, depression, fatigue, and exaggerated responses to pain. The common feature of these conditions of the body is that they induce inflammatory responses in the body, outside the central nervous system (the CNS which consists of the brain and spinal cord only). However, the cognitive and emotional effects that inflammatory resp...

Type 1 Interferons and Antiviral CD8 T-Cell Responses

Type 1 interferons (IFNs) were the first cytokines discovered and include IFNb, .ten forms of IFNa, and several other related molecules that all bind to the same type 1 IFN receptor (IFN1R). Type 1 IFNs are commonly referred to as ‘‘viral’’ IFNs because they can be induced directly by virus infections, in contrast to ‘‘immune’’ IFN, or IFNc, which is synthesized after receptor engagement of T c...

Is HOT a Cool Treatment for Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease characterized by immunemediated destruction of the insulin-producing b-cells of the islets of Langerhans that results in life-long insulin dependence (1). Given the immunological nature of the disease, numerous antigen-specific as well as nonantigen-specific tolerance induction or immune deviation strategies have been developed as tr...

Differential Effects of the Type I Interferons