Role of microglia in CNS autoimmunity

12.06.2013

Goldmann T, Prinz M

Clin Dev Immunol. 2013;2013:208093

Clin Dev Immunol        online article

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) in the Western world. The disease is characterized histologically by the infiltration of encephalitogenic TH1/TH17-polarized CD4+ T cells and a plethora of myeloid cells, resulting in severe demyelination ultimately leading to a degeneration of neuronal structures. These pathological processes are substantially modulated by microglia, the resident immune competent cells of the CNS. Hence, understanding microglia involvement in MS offers new exciting paths for therapeutic intervention.