The initiation of the autoimmune response in multiple sclerosis Article

Markovic-Plese, S, Pinilla, C, Martin, R. (2004). The initiation of the autoimmune response in multiple sclerosis . CLINICAL NEUROLOGY AND NEUROSURGERY, 106(3), 218-222. 10.1016/j.clineuro.2004.02.018

cited authors

  • Markovic-Plese, S; Pinilla, C; Martin, R

authors

abstract

  • 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. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

publication date

  • January 1, 2004

published in

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

start page

  • 218

end page

  • 222

volume

  • 106

issue

  • 3