Specialists from Switzerland found out that in cold conditions affecting the development of multiple sclerosis, the harmful activity of the immune system is weakened. Dedicated to the useful property of the cold Article of the researchers was published in the Cell Metabolism magazine.
Scattered sclerosis is the most widespread autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. With it, the cells of the immune system destroy myelin – a protective “shell” of neurons, which plays an important role in the transmission of signals. This leads to neurological disorders, in particular, paralysis. “The protective mechanisms of our body against the unfavorable environment are energy consumption. When activating several, they can be limited to mutual influence,” notes the lead author of the work, Professor of Geneva University Mirko Triakovski.
Scientists suggested that the addition of such an energy-proof program may mitigate the immune response and, accordingly, the course of multiple sclerosis. To verify its hypothesis, they began to lower the average temperature of the habitat of mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis – analogous to the dissipated sclerosis in rodents – until she reached ten degrees Celsius. “After several days we saw both a distinct reduction in the clinical severity of the disease and a decrease in the amount of demyelinization in the central nervous system,” said one of the researchers, Professor of Geneva University Doron Mercler. Despite the fact that the animals supported the temperature level of their body at a normal level, scientists found that the symptoms of disorders of the musculoskeletal system were noticeably decreased.
Researchers found out that the cold reduces the ability of antigen-winning monocytes to “instruct” T-cells to recognize alien elements. With autoimmune diseases of the antigens of “their” cells are confused with alien. The need to maintain the body temperature during the cold takes resources from the immune system, thereby weakening the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Scientists emphasize that the results of their research are relevant not only for neuroperation, but also for other immunity diseases.