Multiple sclerosis: An overview of the disease and current concepts of its pathophysiology

摘要

The oligodendrocytes, myelin-producing cells in the central nervous system (CNS), have an essential role in “multiple sclerosis”. This disease is of unknown etiology, and thus, of a variable prognosis. The main pathologic feature is the injury to the myelin and loss of oligodendrocytes in the CNS. Studies of animal models, demonstrating that autoreactive T cells (CD4 or CD8) can result in inflammatory demyelination of the central nervous system, support the theory that multiple sclerosis is an immune-mediated disorder involving one or more antigens located in the myelin of central nervous system cells (neurons and glia). About the disorder′s pathology, important findings have been made regarding inflammation, adhesion-molecules, ion-channel alterations and the process of neurodegeneration in the progression of the multiple sclerosis plaque. The progress made so far in the pathogenesis of the disease will allow a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in its progression and so, more specific treatments can be developed to ensure a better quality of life of the affected patients.