Study of Anti-Myelin T Cell Reactivity and Regulatory Networks in Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Recent advances in our understanding of multiple sclerosis have Led to the general belief that MS is a T cell mediated autoimmune disease of the CNS. Although circumstantial evidence indicates that autoreactive T cells are key players in the pathogenesis of MS, the causal trigger and exact cascade of events Leading to this chronic inflammatory disease are not completely elucidated. This study is aimed at further characterizing the anti-myelin T cell responses in MS patients and their possible contribution to the disease process. Another ,goal is to get a better insight in the mechanisms of T cell vaccination, an experimental therapy, currently performed at the Biomedisch Onderzoeksinstituut - Dr. L. Willems Instituut (Diepenbeek, Belgium). Detailed information on both topics will add to our current knowledge of MS and will be of considerable importance for the further development of immunotherapies for MS.