J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 20(6); 2002 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2002;20(6): 575-584.

"알쯔하이머병 및 퇴행성 질환에서 면역-염증 기전의 역할"

김승현, 공구

"한양대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실,병리학교실 면역-염증 기전의 역할"

"Role of Immune-Inflammatory Mechanisms in Alzheimer s Disease and Other Degenerative Diseases"

Seung Hyun Kim M.D.

Department of Neurology and Pathology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University

Abstract

"Recent studies suggest that alterations of the immune-inflammatory system contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer s disease (AD), Parkinson s disease (PD) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Neuroinflammatory response initiated by innate immune mechanism that self-attack on neurons, known as autotoxicity could be an initial key mechanism of chronic neurodegenerative diseases. Numerous experimental and pathological evidences showing upregulated inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and the activation of complement cascade and accumulation of activated microglia in damaged regions support the important role of immune-inflammatory mechanism in the patho-genesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Epidemiological studies on the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), coupled with results from animal model of AD, PD and ALS, have prompted the studies to determine if immune-inflammatory modifying agents or molecules could be a new therapeutic paradigm of neurodegenerative diseases. Molecules inhibiting proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines released from microglia, agents that inhibit activation of microglia, COX2 and complement system are now considered as a good candidate of immune-inflammatory modu-lating treatment. By better understanding inflammatory and immunoregulatory processes, it should be possible to devel-op anti-inflammatory approach that may not completely cure AD, PD, and ALS but will likely help slow the progres-sion or delay the onset of these devastating diseases.Key Words : Immune-inflammation, Alzheimer s disease, Degenerative diseases, Microglia, Cytokines, COX2"