Immunology of multiple sclerosis.
Recent advances in the understanding of the immunology of multiple sclerosis (MS) are discussed. In the central nervous system (CNS) major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II antigens, and lymphocyte adhesion molecules are expressed. Furthermore, there are cells present which produce important effector molecules such as interferon (IFN)-gamma and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). A role for myelin antigen-specific autoimmunity is supported, but not proven, by the presence of a marked quantitative increase of T and B cells with such specificities, enriched to the CNS. Several myelin antigens, as well as a multitude of peptide parts of these, are apparently recognized. It will be of interest to study the functional abilities of these cells and how they are regulated.
Olsson
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Department of Neurology, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000502:physiology; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex / Q000276:immunology; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D009185:Myelin Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines; D008222:Lymphokines; D009185:Myelin Proteins; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell