Blood brain integrity is compromised in autoimmune disorders of the central nervous system (CNS0. Here Stefan Bittner et al. report that expression of TWIK-related potassium channel-1 (TREK1) is decreased in individuals with multiple sclerosis and mice with autoimmune disease. The severity of EAE is increased in mice deficient in TREK1. Activation of TREK1 using riluzole or a diet enriched in linseed oil attenuates disease severity and reduces leukocyte infiltration into the CNS, suggesting that TREK1 may be targeted to reduce the migration of immune cells into the CNS.
- Stefan Bittner
- Tobias Ruck
- Sven G Meuth
