The role of inflammation in CNS diseases is controversial, but growing evidence suggests that antiinflammatory agents can
minimize and/or prevent neural degeneration and its associated behavioral consequences. Sertoli cells can be grafted into
the CNS to locally deliver molecules with known trophic and anti-inflammatory effects on the surrounding tissue. When sertoli
cells are grafted into the 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) model of Huntington's disease the protective effects are quite similar
to those obtained using systemic treatments with NSAIDS (Salzberg-Benhouse
et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 306:218–228, 2003). While these data alone do not provide unequivocal support for the notion that Sertoli cell grafts exert
their beneficial effects via modulating local inflammation, they do provide an interesting convergence between data sets.
The benefits of Sertoli cells grafts should be more thoroughly examined in animal models of inflammation.