Immunology of Multiple Sclerosis

Dear Colleagues, 

Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a neurological disorder of the central nervous system (CNS), has historically been defined as an autoimmune disease driven by abnormal responses of T cells to self-myelin antigens. Auto-reactive T cells are activated in the periphery and acquire an inflammatory phenotype and the ability to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB); once in the CNS, these pro-inflammatory cells cause demyelination, axonal damage, and spinal cord and brain lesions. More recently, the extensive use of anti-CD20 treatment has revealed the important role of B cells, which not only produce autoantibodies but also contribute to MS disease pathogenesis and progression through the formation of ectopic follicles inside the meninges of the CNS. Notably, in this process that is guided by the adaptive immune system, cells of the innate compartment, especially those with immunoregulatory functions, seem to be involved too.

Different subsets of immune cells are involved during different stages and types of MS: typically, expansion and infiltration into the CNS of pro-inflammatory T cells characterize the early stages and the exacerbation phases of the relapsing form of the disease. As the disease evolves in its progressive form, B lymphocytes and plasma cells seem to play a predominant role.

The process by which immune cells become activated is still unknown, but a combination of genetic and environmental factors is involved together with the dysfunction of T and B regulatory T cells. 

The goal of this Special Issue is to generate genuine and valuable scientific knowledge on the role of the immune system in MS pathogenesis and progression. We will consider original reports focused on the different subsets of immune cells and their cytokines involved in the different forms of MS and in its animal model, their regulation by genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors (such as but not only infections and pregnancy), and their modulation by currently available therapies.

Dr. Simona Rolla
Dr. Gabriele Di Sante
Guest Editors

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• T cells
• B cells
• NK cells
• regulatory cells
• CNS
• epigenetic regulation
• infections
• pregnancy
• disease modifying therapies