Cross-talk between cells of the nervous and immune systems is an emerging concept in neurotrauma research. Previously, neuroimmunological approaches in brain and spinal cord injury have focused on the functional consequences of macrophage and microglial activation. These cells constitute the natural, or innate, branch of CNS immunity and respond to injury or infection in a nonspecific fashion. Recent evidence, however, has shown that T-lymphocytes may also play a significant role in spinal cord injury. Once activated, T- and B-lymphocytes orchestrate the complex functions of the inflammatory response. Acquired immunity is readily induced against “non-self,” or foreign, antigens, although “self-reactive” lymphocytes are present in normal individuals, providing the potential for the onset of autoimmunity. Trauma to or infection in the CNS may release “self” antigens normally sequestered behind the blood-brain barrier that can trigger lymphocyte activation. This article addresses the potential pathological and physiological implications of lymphocyte activation induced by traumatic spinal cord injury. NEUROSCIENTIST 4:71-76, 1998
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