title: The natural history of B cells.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis is a common neurological disorder that represents a significant source of disability. B cells have recently emerged as a novel therapeutic target for multiple sclerosis. The natural development of B cells is characterized by an antigen-independent phase that occurs in the bone marrow and an antigen-dependent phase that takes place in the peripheral lymphoid tissue. The stage of B-cell development can be identified by the presence of specific cell surface markers. Checkpoints are in place to prevent self-reactive B cells from further development and activation. Some self-reactive B cells are able to escape these checkpoints, resulting in a loss of tolerance. B cells may contribute to systemic autoimmunity and the development of autoimmune disease via cytokine production, antigen presentation, and complement activation. In addition, B cells may trigger autoimmune disease via molecular mimicry, which occurs when a single B-cell receptor recognizes both a non-self antigen molecule and a self-molecule. Accumulating data suggest that ectopic proliferation of B cells in the central nervous system may also play a role. Further research is needed to elucidate the pathology of B cells and their role in central nervous system autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, Texas, USA. nancy.monson@usouthwestern.edu
authors.forename: Nancy L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Monson
mesh_terms: D000917:Antibody Formation; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers