B Cell Responses in MS

While the presence of OCB in MS has long been appreciated, recent smdies have re-examined the role of B-cells in MS. Antibody binding studies have demonstrated that binding to a neuronal cell line was increased in chronic progressive 

In addition, antibodies may play a beneficial role in MS by skewing the immune system away from a TH-1 biased response and toward a TH-2 cytokine pattern or by fostering myelin repair. It has been demonstrated that IgM antibodies to CNS antigens enhance remyelination in MS (Sospedra and Martin, 2005). The beneficial effect of pooled intravenous Ig in MS therapy supports a beneficial role for antibodies in MS. It is believed that this beneficial effect occurs through several mechanisms including inactivation of cytokines, Fc-receptor blockade, blocking of CD4 and MHC, and modulation of apoptosis (Sospedra and Martin, 2005). 

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