T cells, cytokines, and autoantigens in multiple sclerosis.

B Gran, A Rostami

Journal: Current neurology and neuroscience reports 2002;1(3):263-70

PMID: 11898528

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Abstract

In multiple sclerosis (MS), inflammatory demyelination in the central nervous system is thought to be initiated by T cells that recognize myelin antigens. T cells are the main regulators of acquired immunity and are involved in the pathogenesis of several organ-specific autoimmune diseases. This review provides an overview of recent studies on the role of T cells in autoimmune demyelination. Because autoreactive T cells are normally present in the mature repertoire of T cells in the blood and lymphoid organs of MS patients, but also in normal controls, particular attention is devoted to the mechanisms of activation and the functional phenotype of such T cells in patients with MS. The role of cytokines as effector molecules and the main candidate antigens are also discussed.

Address: Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283, USA.

DOI: 10.1007/s11910-001-0029-3