title: Translational Mini-Review Series on B cell subsets in disease. B cells in multiple sclerosis: drivers of disease pathogenesis and Trojan horse for Epstein-Barr virus entry to the central nervous system?
abstract: The recent success of therapies directed at B cells has highlighted their potential as central players in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis. Exciting new data showed that B cell depletion led to reduced clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence of disease activity. However, the mechanisms of action remain unknown, but could involve autoantibody production, antigen presentation and/or cytokine production by B cells. Another exciting line of investigation in the field of MS comes from latent infection of memory B cells by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). These cells are hijacked as 'Trojan horses' and 'smuggle' the virus into the central nervous system (CNS). Thus, these new anti B cell treatments will also be likely to have anti-viral effects. We briefly review recent findings in the field of MS pathogenesis, and highlight promising new targets for therapeutic intervention in MS.
authors: Neuroimmunology Group, Centre for Neuroscience and Trauma, Blizard Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Queen Mary University London, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK. u.meier@qmul.ac.uk
authors: U-C
authors: UC
authors: Meier
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Giovannoni
authors: J S
authors: JS
authors: Tzartos
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Khan
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000276:immunology; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D002465:Cell Movement; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology; D043025:Oligoclonal Bands / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D043025:Oligoclonal Bands