Autoreactive T lymphocytes in multiple sclerosis: pathogenic role and therapeutic targeting
Stinissen, P.; Raus, J.
Acta Neurologica Belgica 99(1): 65-69
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-9009 PMID: 10218096 Document Number: 499262
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS), leading to demyelination. Accumulating evidence suggests that MS is an autoimmune disease, mediated by autoreactive T cells with specificity for myelin antigens. The identity of the brain antigens, which are the primary targets of the autoimmune process remains unknown, but myelin basic protein (MBP) is a likely candidate. We will overview some of the experimental evidence, suggesting that MBP reactive T cells hold a central position in the pathogenesis of MS, and discuss how these autoreactive T cells can be therapeutically targeted by T cell vaccination.