Circulating Ly-6C+ myeloid precursors migrate to the CNS and play a pathogenic role during autoimmune demyelinating disease

Blood. 2009 Apr 2;113(14):3190-7. doi: 10.1182/blood-2008-07-168575. Epub 2009 Feb 5.

Abstract

Mature myeloid cells (macrophages and CD11b(+) dendritic cells) form a prominent component of neuroinflammatory infiltrates in multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The mechanism by which these cells are replenished during relapsing and chronic neuroinflammation is poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that CD11b(+)CD62L(+)Ly6C(hi) monocytes with colony-forming potential are mobilized into the bloodstream by a granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-dependent pathway immediately before EAE relapses. Circulating Ly6C(hi) monocytes traffic across the blood-brain barrier, up-regulate proinflammatory molecules, and differentiate into central nervous system dendritic cells and macrophages. Enrichment of Ly6C(hi) monocytes in the circulating pool is associated with an earlier onset and increased severity of clinical EAE. Our studies indicate that granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-driven release of Ly6C(hi) precursors from the bone marrow prevents exhaustion of central nervous system myeloid populations during relapsing or chronic autoimmune demyelination, suggesting a novel pathway for therapeutic targeting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Ly / blood
  • Antigens, Ly / metabolism*
  • Cell Movement / physiology*
  • Central Nervous System / immunology
  • Central Nervous System / pathology*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS / etiology*
  • Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS / immunology
  • Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS / pathology
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / genetics
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / physiology
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Monocytes / metabolism
  • Monocytes / pathology
  • Myeloid Progenitor Cells / metabolism
  • Myeloid Progenitor Cells / pathology
  • Myeloid Progenitor Cells / physiology*
  • Myelopoiesis / genetics
  • Recurrence
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Antigens, Ly
  • Ly-6C antigen, mouse
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor