title: The potential role of B cell-targeted therapies in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the CNS. Until recently, most therapeutic interventions have targeted T cells in the treatment of MS. Recent data show that B cells also have a role in the pathogenesis of MS. The cerebrospinal fluid and CNS of MS patients contain B cells, plasma cells and immunoglobulins, and recent data indicate that B cells are involved in antigen presentation and T-cell activation, cytokine production, antibody secretion, demyelination and remyelination in MS. These advances in the understanding of B cells and their role in the pathophysiology of MS provide a strong rationale for B cell-targeted therapies. Recent clinical trials with rituximab highlight the possibility that B cells should be an important therapeutic target in patients with MS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA. Michael.Racke@osumc.edu
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boster
authors.forename: Daniel P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Ankeny
authors.forename: Michael K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Racke
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000069283:Rituximab; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab