Weapon in immune system arsenal could unlock MS treatment

Associate Anne Bruestle. Photo: Jamie Kidston/ANU - Researchers from The Australian National University (ANU) have identified why certain cells in the body, known as Th17 cells, go rogue and promote the onset of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). In a new study published in Nature Communications , scientists have discovered a previously unknown and nasty side effect of a bacteria-fighting weapon in the immune system's arsenal called neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). NETs are responsible for directly enhancing the production of harmful Th17 cells.  "This discovery is significant as it provides a novel therapeutic target to disrupt these harmful inflammatory responses," lead author Dr Alicia Wilson, from the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz in Germany, said.   "It opens the doors to the development of new therapies targeting this harmful NET-Th17 interaction, hopefully improving treatments for MS and other autoimmune conditions in the future."  NETs, which are similar in appearance and function to spider webs, are produced by a subset of white blood cells called neutrophils. They capture and kill nasty bacteria and are designed to protect the body from infection. But as ANU researchers demonstrate, NETs also have a "dark side" causing them to manipulate Th17 cells, making them stronger and more dangerous. Th17 cells are normally beneficial because they defend the body against bacterial and fungal infections, but when over-activated, they can cause serious inflammation.