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Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2008 Jun;21(3):271-8.
Multiple sclerosis: immunopathogenesis and controversies in defining the cause.
Holmøy T, Hestvik AL.
Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty Division Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Multiple sclerosis is a major cause of neurological disability in Western societies. The most important reason for the limited success obtained in the treatment and prevention so far is most likely related to the limited knowledge about its cause and pathogenesis. This paper discusses recent progress and controversies in the understanding of the pathogenesis and cause of multiple sclerosis. RECENT FINDINGS: Both T helper cells type 1 (Th1 cells), Th17 cells, cytotoxic T cells, B cells and regulatory T cells are involved in the inflammatory process. Axonal loss seems to be driven by inflammation during the early stages of disease but may become independent of inflammation at later stages. The target antigen of the immune response has not been identified. Weak genetic association has been established in two cytokine receptors, whereas increasing female: male ratio support the importance of environmental risk factors. A substantial proportion of intrathecal B cells are infected with Epstein-Barr virus. SUMMARY: Multiple sclerosis is a complex disease and calls for integrated efforts from immunology, epidemiology, neuroscience and genetics. In particular, the immunological implications of environmental risk factors such as vitamin D desufficiency, smoking and Epstein-Barr virus infection need to be explored.
_________________ Wife diagnosed with MS in Feb. 2006 and is a participant in the Tovaxin IIb clinical trial.
Joined: Sep 11, 2007 Posts: 679 Location: southern California
Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 9:18 pm Post subject:
Hey Bob-
Dom posted a similiar article mentioning Th17 and environmental trigger research at MRC National Institute in London- I'm glad to see doctors and researchers looking at a holistic process for MS, rather than trying to isolate one specific trigger. I believe stepping back and viewing the big pic will help solve this.
But I'm just hopeful like that
Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 5:10 am Post subject: Re: immunopathogenesis
Quote:
The target antigen of the immune response has not been identified.
I wonder what the folks at Opexa think of a statement like that? Clearly, Opexa is able to identify myelin reactive T-cells with a specific antigen profile otherwise they would not be able to make statements like...
Quote:
Individualized Tovaxin formulations for all 150 patients have been manufactured with more than 95% of them being unique myelin epitope profiles as identified by Opexa's Epitope Analysis Assay. The variety among the formulations highlights the diversity of myelin epitopes contributing to the disease and supports the individualized therapy approach of Opexa's Tovaxin therapy.
Joined: May 04, 2006 Posts: 3399 Location: Mid-Michigan
Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 9:29 am Post subject:
Thanks for the link AC!
NHE,
I can't help but consider this the turn of the century "Wild, wild west" of MS research. Remember the old turn of the 20th century pictures, which were a combination of wooden wheeled horse drawn wagons and automobiles?
In a way, this is a good time for us laymen, because, for the first time in history, there are a few "truths" floating around the world of MS, along with old the "suspected truths".
It's also a bad time for us laymen because it's hard to separate the research wheat from the chaft.
What really is the truth and what is only suspected is something that each of us has to decide to our own satisfaction.
This really is a time that hundreds of people will have been "cured" of MS before the masses have even heard rumor of a "cure" and before most neurologists have any familiarity with the name of the treatment(s).
So long pardners.
Bob _________________ Wife diagnosed with MS in Feb. 2006 and is a participant in the Tovaxin IIb clinical trial.
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