title: Autoreactive T lymphocytes in multiple sclerosis: pathogenic role and therapeutic targeting.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Dr. I. Willems-Instituut, Limburgs Universitair Centrum, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stinissen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Raus
mesh_terms: D015551:Autoimmunity; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination