Progress in determining the causes and treatment of multiple sclerosis
Article Abstract:
Mixed views continue to be expressed about the likely cause of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, it is now clear that the rise of MS rises with the degree of shared genetic information within a family. There is evidence that multiple unlinked genes could have an impact on disease susceptibility. A key issue to be resolved is whether linkage or association studies will be more effective in identifying susceptibility genes, particularly those with weak effect. Significant progress has been made in the treatment of MS, but there is still conflict about how soon in the progression of the disease treatment should start.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1999
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The small heat-shock protein alpha-B-crystallin as candidate autoantigen in multiple sclerosis
Article Abstract:
Studies conducted on the response of human T cells to myelin proteins present in the central nervous system show that alpha-B-crystallin which is a small heat-shock protein functions as an immunodominant myelin antigen for the T cells when present in large concentrations in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions. Alpha-B-crystallin produced in MS lesions invokes a strong immunological response from T cells obtained from patients of MS and healthy individuals. The MS lesions contain oligodendrocytes and astrocytes which are not seen in unaffected myelin.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1995
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Presenting an odd autoantigen
Article Abstract:
Alpha-B-crystallin is a myelin protein which causes the mylein sheath surrounding nerve fibers to be attacked by the body's T cells, B cells and macrophages. The autoantigen alpha-B-crystallin is a heat-shock protein which is induced in the affected white matter of the myelin sheath. Studies show that alpha-B-crystallin is expressed only in the glial cells of multiple sclerosis lesions and not in the unaffected white matter or healthy individuals.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1995
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