title: B cells in multiple sclerosis: connecting the dots.
abstract: Over the past two decades B cells have increasingly moved into the spotlight in multiple sclerosis (MS) research. This interest was fuelled by growing understanding and acceptance of pathological involvement of B cells and antibodies in MS. Data derived from animal models of MS, human histopathological studies, and analyses of B cells in the peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have permitted the integration of B cells in our overall picture of MS immunopathogenesis. The as yet strongest direct evidence for a central role of B cells in MS autoimmunity was the demonstration that peripheral B cell depletion leads to a rapid decline of disease-activity in MS. While lending formidable impact to peripheral blood B cells as mediators of disease activity, the effects of anti-CD20 treatment also seemingly challenged the paradigm of a role of antibodies in targeted central nervous system (CNS) myelin destruction. This review shall attempt to provide an overview of our current understanding of B cell and antibody mediated mechanisms relevant to MS. We will include findings from, both, human studies, and animal models to highlight the complexity of B cell function as it pertains to MS. B cells appear to be effective drivers of inflammatory activity in MS by way of a diverse toolset of cellular functions. These functions appear to be closely linked to B cells that can be found in the periphery. However, by serving as the source of antibodies, B cells offer a direct humoral response that may target the CNS and lead to tissue specific destruction. Therefore, B cells participate in MS pathogenesis on both sides of the blood-brain barrier.
authors: Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
authors: H-Christian
authors: HC
authors: von Büdingen
authors: Amit
authors: A
authors: Bar-Or
authors: Scott S
authors: SS
authors: Zamvil
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies