the double-edged sword of autoimmunity lessons from multiple sclerosis自身免疫教训多发性硬化症的双刃剑.pdf

Toxins 2010, 2, 856-877; doi:10.3390/toxins2040856 OPEN ACCESS toxins ISSN 2072-6651 /journal/toxins Review The Double-Edged Sword of Autoimmunity: Lessons from Multiple Sclerosis Anne Lise K. Hestvik Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, 0027 Oslo, Norway; E-Mail: anne.lise.hestvik@rr-research.no; Tel.: +47 Fax: +47 Received: 14 April 2010 / Accepted: 21 April 2010 / Published: 22 April 2010 Abstract: The relationship between immune responses to self-antigens and autoimmune disease is unclear. In contrast to its animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), which is driven by T cell responses to myelin antigens, the target antigen of the intrathecal immune response in multiple sclerosis (MS) has not been identified. Although the immune response in MS contributes significantly to tissue destruction, the action of immunocompetent cells within the central nervous system (CNS) may also hold therapeutic potential. Thus, treatment of MS patients with glatiramer acetate triggers a protective immune response. Here we review the immunopathogenesis of MS and some recent findings on the mechanism of glatiramer acetate (GA). Keywords: autoimmunity; multiple sclerosis; T cells; B cells; glatiramer acetate 1. Introduction Autoimmunity can be defined as an adaptive immune response directed against the body’s own