Role of the JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway in Regulation of Innate Immunity in Neuroinflammatory Diseases

Overview

Journal Clin Immunol

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 2016 Oct 8

PMID 27713030

Citations 101

Authors

Zhaoqi Yan

Sara A Gibson

Jessica A Buckley

Hongwei Qin

Etty N Benveniste

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The Janus Kinase/Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway is utilized by numerous cytokines and interferons, and is essential for the development and function of both innate and adaptive immunity. Aberrant activation of the JAK/STAT pathway is evident in neuroinflammatory diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's Disease. Innate immunity is the front line defender of the immune system and is composed of various cell types, including microglia, macrophages and neutrophils. Innate immune responses have both pathogenic and protective roles in neuroinflammation, depending on disease context and the microenvironment in the central nervous system. In this review, we discuss the role of innate immunity in the pathogenesis of neuroinflammatory diseases, how the JAK/STAT signaling pathway regulates the innate immune response, and finally, the potential for ameliorating neuroinflammation by utilization of JAK/STAT inhibitors.

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