Admittedly I don't completely understand this article but I was originally dxed 2 years ago with Accute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis so it caught my eye.
Research from Cytos Biotechnology AG broadens understanding of encephalomyelitis vaccines
December 23rd, 2006
(NewsRx.com) -- Scientists discuss in "Vaccination against IL-17 suppresses autoimmune arthritis and encephalomyelitis" new findings in encephalomyelitis. "Interleukin 17 is a T cell-derived cytokine that induces the release of pro-inflammatory mediators in a wide range of cell types. Recently, a subset of IL-17-producing T helper cells (Th17) distinct from Th1 and Th2 cells has been described, which constitutes a new T cell polarization state," scientists writing in the European Journal of Immunology report.
"Aberrant Th17 responses and overexpression of IL-17 have been implicated in a number of autoimmune disorders including rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Molecules blocking IL-17 such as IL-17-specific monoclonal antibodies have proved to be effective in ameliorating disease in animal models. Hitherto, active immunization targeting IL-17 is an untried approach. Herein we explore the potential of neutralizing IL-17 by active immunization using virus-like particles conjugated with recombinant IL-17 (IL-17-VLP). Immunization with IL-17-VLP induced high levels of anti-IL-17 antibodies thereby overcoming natural tolerance, even in the absence of added adjuvant. Mice immunized with IL-17-VLP had lower incidence of disease, slower progression to disease and reduced scores of disease severity in both collagen-induced arthritis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis," wrote T.A. Röhn and colleagues, Cytos Biotechnology AG.
The researchers concluded: "Active immunization against IL-17 therefore represents a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases."
Röhn and colleagues published their study in European Journal of Immunology (Vaccination against IL-17 suppresses autoimmune arthritis and encephalomyelitis. European Journal of Immunology, 2006;36(11):2857-67).