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B-Cell Targeting Agents in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

  • MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND RELATED DISORDERS (BM SEGAL, SECTION EDITOR)
  • Published:
Current Treatment Options in Neurology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Opinion statement

The aims of this article are to discuss the potential role of B lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and in the mechanisms of action of approved and emerging disease modifying therapies. Over the last few years, significant progress has been made in the introduction of novel pharmacologic treatments that reduce the frequency of clinical exacerbations and radiological lesion formation in relapsing remitting MS. The mechanisms of action of a number of these disease modifying therapies (DMT) implicate B cells in the pathogenesis, as well as in the regulation, of MS. Further research into B-cell subset trafficking patterns, functional activities and interactions with other immune cells in the context of neuroinflammation is likely to inform the development of future generations of DMT.

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Abbreviations

MS:

multiple sclerosis

DMT:

disease modifying therapies

CNS:

central nervous system

CSF:

cerebrospinal fluid

RR:

relapsing-remitting

SP:

secondary-progressive

PP:

primary progressive

OCBs:

oligoclonal bands

IL:

interleukin

EAE:

experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Ig:

immunoglobulin

TACI:

Transmembrane Activator and CAML [calcium-modulator and cyclophilin ligand]-Interactor

BLys:

B Lymphocyte stimulator

APRIL:

a proliferation inducing ligand

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Conflict of Interest

Tiffany J. Braley declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Benjamin M. Segal has served as a consultant for Biogen Idec and Bristol-Myers Squibb, has received grant support from Teva Pharmaceuticals and Biogen Idec, and has had travel/accommodations expenses covered/reimbursed by Biogen Idec and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

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  1. Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 4013 Biomedical Science Research Building, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, SPC 2200, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Tiffany J. Braley MD, MS & Benjamin M. Segal MD

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Correspondence to Benjamin M. Segal MD.

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Braley, T.J., Segal, B.M. B-Cell Targeting Agents in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis. Curr Treat Options Neurol 15, 259–269 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11940-013-0232-y

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