The initiation of the autoimmune response in multiple sclerosis.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Most evidence supports the autoimmune pathogenesis of the disease. According to this hypothesis, the activation of autoreactive T-cells is a central event in the development of autoimmune response in MS. We examined molecular events involved in the initiation of autoimmune response in MS. Recent studies in our laboratory have reported an unexpectedly high degree of T-cell receptor (TCR) degeneracy and molecular mimicry as a frequent phenomenon that might play a role in the initiation of autoimmune response in MS. This paper provides insights into the physiologic and pathologic role of autoreactive T-cells, and characterizes structurally and functionally the specific targets for new therapies of MS.
Markovic-Plese
Silva
S
Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina, 6019 Neuroscience Research Building, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. markovics@neurology.unc.edu
Pinilla
Clemencia
C
Martin
Roland
R
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018122:B7-1 Antigen / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D015703:Antigens, CD; D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D018122:B7-1 Antigen; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; D018106:CD28 Antigens; C497964:CD86 protein, human; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell