CC chemokine receptor 4 is required for experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by regulating GM-CSF and IL-23 production in dendritic cells

21.02.2012

Poppensieker K, Otte DM, Schürmann B, Limmer A, Dresing P, Drews E, Schumak B, Klotz L, Raasch J, Mildner A, Waisman A, Scheu S, Knolle P, Förster I, Prinz M, Maier W, Zimmer A, Alferink J.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012;109(10):3897-902

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A           online article

Our data identified CCR4⁺ DCs, rather than macrophages or T cells, as the key mediators in the development of EAE. We now show that GM-CSF–dependent IL-23 production in DCs was dependent on CCR4 expression in these cells and required for development of EAE. This functional role for CCR4 in the effector phase of disease points toward a unique strategy to inhibit CNS autoimmunity by targeting this chemokine receptor on DCs.