What is the role of autoimmunity in multiple sclerosis?

A number of evidences indicate that an antigen-specific immune reaction is responsible for the formation and/or the maintenance of multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions. This disease is characterized by the following: 1), an infilt ration of the white matter of the brain and spinal cord by inflammatory cel ls; 2), the T and B lymphocytes, present in the lesions or in the cerebrosp inal fluid of patients, show signs of activation; i.e., the classic IgG oli goclonal bands of the cerebrospinal fluid (activation of B lymphocytes) and the presence of activation markers on the surface of the T lymphocytes; 3) , the presence of an association, and a linkage between the disease and the genes of the HLA complex. The HLA molecules are implicated in the presenta tion of the antigen to the T lymphocytes; 4), finally, A should be noted th at the therapeutic approaches aimed at reducing (immunosuppressants) or at modulating (beta-interferon, copolymer 1) the immune responses have a posit ive effect on this disease, whereas those treatments which activate the imm une system (gamma-interferon) have a negative effect. (C) Editions scientif iques et medicales Elsevier SAS.