IL-1β enables CNS access to CCR2 hi monocytes and the generation of pathogenic cells through GM-CSF released by CNS endothelial cells

Significance Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neuroinflammatory disease characterized by demyelinating plaques in the brain and spinal cord, causing progressive loss of functions. While the causes of MS remain undefined, treatments that target immune cells or their functions greatly improve the clinical outcome. Our laboratory has previously shown that production of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β by myeloid cells is required for the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an MS model. Here, we show that activation of central nervous system (CNS) endothelial cells by IL-1β enables inflammatory monocytes to enter the CNS and differentiate into antigen-presenting cells. Additionally, we demonstrate that factors released from the interaction between IL-1β–producing myeloid cells and autoreactive CD4+ T cells are toxic to neurons.