title: T cells, cytokines, and autoantigens in multiple sclerosis.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gran
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rostami
mesh_terms: D019943:Amino Acid Substitution; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier; D018925:Chemokines / Q000502:physiology; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D008024:Ligands; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009185:Myelin Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D001324:Autoantigens; D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines; D008024:Ligands; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein; D009185:Myelin Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D010446:Peptide Fragments