Abstract
In multiple sclerosis (MS), inflammatory demyelination in the central nervous system is thought to be initiated by T cells that recognize myelin antigens. T cells are the main regulators of acquired immunity and are involved in the pathogenesis of several organ-specific autoimmune diseases. This review provides an overview of recent studies on the role of T cells in autoimmune demyelination. Because autoreactive T cells are normally present in the mature repertoire of T cells in the blood and lymphoid organs of MS patients, but also in normal controls, particular attention is devoted to the mechanisms of activation and the functional phenotype of such T cells in patients with MS. The role of cytokines as effector molecules and the main candidate antigens are also discussed.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
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Review
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Substitution
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Antigen Presentation
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Autoantigens / immunology*
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Autoimmune Diseases / immunology*
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Autoimmune Diseases / metabolism
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Autoimmune Diseases / pathology
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Blood-Brain Barrier
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Chemokines / physiology
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Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic
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Cytokines / physiology*
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Humans
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Immunologic Memory
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Ligands
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Lymphocyte Activation
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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Molecular Mimicry
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Multiple Sclerosis / immunology*
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Multiple Sclerosis / metabolism
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Multiple Sclerosis / pathology
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Myelin Basic Protein / immunology
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Myelin Basic Protein / metabolism
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Myelin Proteins / immunology
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Nerve Tissue Proteins / immunology
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Peptide Fragments / adverse effects
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Peptide Fragments / immunology
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Peptide Fragments / therapeutic use
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / pathology
Substances
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Autoantigens
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Chemokines
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Cytokines
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Ligands
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Myelin Basic Protein
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Myelin Proteins
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Nerve Tissue Proteins
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Peptide Fragments