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B cells contribute to MS pathogenesis through antibody-dependent and antibody-independent mechanisms

Authors Wilson H

Received 15 February 2012

Accepted for publication 27 March 2012

Published 7 May 2012 Volume 2012:6 Pages 117—123

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/BTT.S24734

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 2



Heather L Wilson1,2

1Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Center, 2Department of Biochemistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

Abstract: For many years, central dogma defined multiple sclerosis (MS) as a T cell-driven autoimmune disorder; however, over the past decade there has been a burgeoning recognition that B cells contribute to the pathogenesis of certain MS disease subtypes. B cells may contribute to MS pathogenesis through production of autoantibodies (or antibodies directed at foreign bodies, which unfortunately cross-react with self-antigens), through promotion of T cell activation via antigen presentation, or through production of cytokines. This review highlights evidence for antibody-dependent and antibody-independent B cell involvement in MS pathogenesis.

Keywords: autoantibodies, antibody targets, clinically isolated MS, primary progressive MS, secondary progressive MS, relapsing and remitting MS, T cells, T regulatory cells

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