Cooperation of B cells and T cells in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis

Results Probl Cell Differ. 2010:51:115-26. doi: 10.1007/400_2009_21.

Abstract

B cells and T cells are two major players in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and cooperate at various check points. B cells, besides serving as a source for antibody-secreting plasma cells, are efficient antigen presenting cells for processing of intact myelin antigen and subsequent activation and pro-inflammatory differentiation of T cells. This notion is supported by the immediate clinical benefit of therapeutic B cell depletion in MS, presumably abrogating development of encephalitogenic T cells. However, different B cell subsets strongly vary in their respective effect on T cell differentiation which may relate to B cell phenotype, activation status, antigen specificity and the immunological environment where a B cell encounters a naïve T cell in. In this regard, some B cells also have anti-inflammatory properties producing regulatory cytokines and facilitating development and maintenance of other immunomodulatory immune cells, such as regulatory T cells. Reciprocally, differentiated T cells influence T cell polarizing B cell properties establishing a positive feedback loop of joint pro- or anti-inflammatory B and T cell developments. Further, under the control of activated T helper cells, antigen-primed B cells can switch immunoglobulin isotype, terminally commit to the plasma cell pathway or enter the germinal center reaction to memory B Cell development. Taken together, B cells and T cells thus closely support one another to participate in the pathogenesis of MS in an inflammatory but also in a regulatory manner.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Germinal Center / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Class Switching
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Lymphocyte Cooperation
  • Lymphocyte Depletion
  • Multiple Sclerosis / etiology
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / therapy
  • Plasma Cells / immunology
  • Rituximab
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Rituximab