CD8+ T cell depletion prevents neuropathology in a mouse model of globoid cell leukodystrophy

Globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD) is a fatal genetic demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system. GLS is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the galactosylceramidase (galc) gene, but several neuropathological data have suggested a relevant role of adaptive immunity and CD8+ T cells in GLD. Sutter et Al. studied the role of cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes in a mouse model of GLD, showing that the influx of highly activated CD8+ T cells correlates with disease progression. Moreover, the depletion of CD8+ T cells reduced disease severity and improved wellness of the ill animal with an amelioration of demyelination and neuroinflammation. This work is extremely important because it could open up new scenarios, by targeting the immune system, in the treatment of GLD.