1. The idiotype connection: linking infection and multiple sclerosis
- Author
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Holmøy, Trygve, Vartdal, Frode, Hestvik, Anne Lise, Munthe, Ludvig, and Bogen, Bjarne
- Subjects
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B cells , *AUTOIMMUNE diseases , *GENETIC mutation , *LABORATORY mice , *IMMUNOREGULATION , *IMMUNOGLOBULIN G ,MULTIPLE sclerosis research - Abstract
B cells present idiotopes (Id) from their B cell receptor to Id-specific CD4+ T cells. Chronic Id-driven T-B cell collaboration can cause autoimmune disease in mice. We propose that Id-driven T-B cell collaboration mediates the development of multiple sclerosis by perpetuating immune responses initiated against infectious agents. During germinal centre reactions, B cells express a multitude of mutated Ids. While most mutations lead to decreased affinity and deletion of the B cell, some B cells could be rescued by Id-specific T cells. Such Id-connected T-B cell pairs might initiate inflammatory foci in the central nervous system. This model may explain the intrathecal synthesis of low-avidity IgG against viruses, and the synthesis of oligoclonal IgG with unknown specificity in multiple sclerosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2010
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