The role of the humoral immune system in multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

The pathogenic events in multiple sclerosis (MS) that result in immune cell infiltration, multifocal demyelination and axonal loss have been focused by the strong impact of the classical MS model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) towards the hypothesis that MS is an entirely T cell-mediated disease. Although conspicuous humoral immune responses have been known since Kabal's seminal finding of elevated immunoglobulins (Igs) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), only in the past few years evidence derived from recent studies of the MS lesion of anti-myelin antibodies (Abs) in patients with early MS and of MS animal models has led to a renewed interest in the role for B cells, plasma cells and their products in the pathogenesis of MS. This review surveys the actual data concerning the role of the humoral immune system in MS and EAE and explains potential modes of action and long-time persistence in the inflamed brain tissue as a B cell-supportive microenvironment in MS. These mechanisms include the modulation of antigen presentation and costimulation to T cells, increased myelin opsonisation und recruitment of inflammatory cells to the CNS, but also immunoregulatory influences on the remyelination by anti-myelin B cells and Abs. So, affecting the humoral immune system in MS would be a reasonable therapeutic option.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)460-467
Number of pages8
JournalAutoimmunity reviews
Volume4
Issue number7
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2005
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 16137612

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Antibodies, B cells, Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, Humoral immune system, Multiple sclerosis, Oligoclonal bands