B cells and antibodies in progressive multiple sclerosis: Contribution to neurodegeneration and progression

详细信息    查看全文

• 作者：Judith Fraussen ; Laura de Bock ; Veerle Somers ; ^{veerle.somers@uhasselt.be" class="auth_mail" title="E-mail the corresponding author}
• 关键词：Multiple sclerosis ; Central nervous system ; B cells ; Antibodies ; Sperm-associated antigen 16
• 刊名：Autoimmunity Reviews
• 出版年：2016
• 出版时间：September 2016
• 年：2016
• 卷：15
• 期：9
• 页码：896-899
• 全文大小：506 K

文摘

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by demyelination, axonal degeneration and gliosis. The progressive form of MS is an important research topic as not much is known about its underlying mechanisms and no therapy is available. Although progressive MS is traditionally considered to be driven by neurodegeneration, compartmentalized CNS inflammation is currently accepted as one of the driving processes behind neurodegeneration and progression. In this review, the involvement of B cells and antibodies in progressive MS is discussed. The identification of meningeal ectopic B cell follicles in secondary progressive MS (SPMS) patients and the successful use of B cell-depleting therapy in primary progressive MS (PPMS) patients have underlined the importance of B cells in progressive MS. Proof is also available for the role of antibodies in neurodegeneration and progression in MS. Here, oligoclonal immunoglobulin M (IgM) production and autoreactive antibodies are described, with a focus on antibodies directed against sperm-associated antigen 16 (SPAG16). Further research into the role of B cells and autoantibodies in MS progression can lead to novel prognostic and theranostic opportunities.