The Role of B Cells in Multiple Sclerosis: Implications for B-Cell-Targeted Therapy

Title: The Role of B Cells in Multiple Sclerosis: Implications for B-Cell-Targeted Therapy

Volume: 17 Issue: 28

Author(s): M. Hirotani, M. Niino and H. Sasaki

Affiliation:

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, B cells, Autoantibody, Complement activation, Rituximab

Abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Although most studies have emphasized the role of T cells in the pathogenesis of MS, increasing evidence supports the concept that B cells play a key role in the pathogenesis of MS, mainly in association with the deposition of antibodies and the activation of complement. Emerging pathophysiological findings of B-cell, follicle-like structures in the meninges of patients and observations of decreased interleukin (IL)-10 production from naive B cells in MS have recently been reported. As more knowledge is gained of the pathophysiology of B cells in MS, the mechanisms of B-cell-mediated neuropharmacology of current therapy had been clarified as well. In this article, we review the increasing evidence that points to a link between B cells and MS, and also discuss the potential of B-cell-targeted therapy in MS.

Cite this article as:

Hirotani M., Niino M. and Sasaki H., The Role of B Cells in Multiple Sclerosis: Implications for B-Cell-Targeted Therapy, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2010; 17 (28) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986710792231969