Regulatory Cells in Multiple Sclerosis: From Blood to Brain

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects myelin. The etiology of MS is unclear, although a variety of environmental and genetic factors are thought to increase the risk of developing the disease. Historically, T cells were considered to be the orchestrators of MS pathogenesis, but evidence has since accumulated implicating B lymphocytes and innate immune cells in the inflammation, demyelination, and axonal damage associated with MS disease progression. However, more recently the importance of the protective role of immunoregulatory cells in MS has become increasingly evident, such as that of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), regulatory T (Treg) and B (Breg) cells, or CD56bright natural killer cells. In this review, we will focus on how peripheral regulatory cells implicated in innate and adaptive immune responses are involved in the physiopathology of MS. Moreover, we will discuss how these cells are thought to act and contribute to MS histopathology, also addressing their promising role as promoters of successful remyelination within the CNS. Finally, we will analyze how understanding these protective mechanisms may be crucial in the search for potential therapies for MS.

Autoreactive lymphocytes in multiple sclerosis: Pathogenesis and treatment target

“…Since myelin-reactive T cells are found in healthy individuals, it was suggested that MS pathogenesis could be associated with insufficient immune regulation by Tregs (176). Tregs could suppress the activity of Th1 and Th17 effector cells (Teff), cytotoxic CD8+ T cells (Tc), and antigen-presenting cells (APCs) by direct contact and secretion of suppressive cytokines (177). By presenting myelin, APCs could trigger activation and differentiation of pathogenic Th1 and Th17 cells, releasing proinflammatory cytokines such as IFN-g, TNF-a and IL-17 (178).…”

Probiotics: Protecting Our Health from the Gut

“…Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease of the CNS, characterized by the degradation of the myelin sheaths that cover the brain and spinal cord [ 87 ]. The MS etiology has not been fully elucidated, but the main cause is known to be the loss of self-tolerance developed against various CNS antigens and myelin sheaths [ 88 , 89 ].…”

“…The MS etiology has not been fully elucidated, but the main cause is known to be the loss of self-tolerance developed against various CNS antigens and myelin sheaths [88,89].…”

Focus on the Role of the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Multiple Sclerosis: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Therapeutics

“…Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common autoimmune, neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS) (Calahorra et al, 2022 ). More than two million people around the world suffer from it, which brings a huge social and economic burden to patients (Browne et al, 2014 ; Kobelt et al, 2017 ).…”