The Inflammatory Conspiracy in Multiple Sclerosis: A Crossroads of Clues and Insights through Mast Cells, Platelets, Inflammation, Gut Microbiota, Mood Disorders and Stem Cells

Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Mar 17;23(6):3253. doi: 10.3390/ijms23063253.

Abstract

Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic neurological disease characterized by demyelination and axonal loss. This pathology, still largely of unknown etiology, carries within it a complex series of etiopathogenetic components of which it is difficult to trace the origin. An inflammatory state is likely to be the basis of the pathology. Crucial elements of the inflammatory process are the interactions between platelets and mast cells as well as the bacterial component of the intestinal microbiota. In addition, the involvement of mast cells in autoimmune demyelinating diseases has been shown. The present work tries to hang up on that Ariadne's thread which, in the molecular complexity of the interactions between mast cells, platelets, microbiota and inflammation, characterizes Multiple Sclerosis and attempts to bring the pathology back to the causal determinism of psychopathological phenomenology. Therefore, we consider the possibility that the original error of Multiple Sclerosis can be investigated in the genetic origin of the depressive pathology.

Keywords: gut microbiota; inflammation; mast cells; mood disorders; multiple sclerosis; platelets; stem cells.

MeSH terms

  • Blood Platelets / pathology
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Mast Cells
  • Mood Disorders
  • Multiple Sclerosis* / pathology
  • Stem Cells / pathology