Journal article

Investigating the antigen specificity of multiple sclerosis central nervous system-derived immunoglobulins

SN Willis, P Stathopoulos, A Chastre, SD Compton, DA Hafler, KC O'Connor

Frontiers in Immunology | Published : 2015

Abstract

The central nervous system (CNS) of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is the site where disease pathology is evident. Damaged CNS tissue is commonly associated with immune cell infiltration. This infiltrate often includes B cells that are found in multiple locations throughout the CNS, including the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), parenchyma, and the meninges, frequently forming tertiary lymphoid structures in the latter. Several groups, including our own, have shown that B cells from distinct locations within the MS CNS are clonally related and display the characteristics of an antigen-driven response. However, the antigen(s) driving this response have yet to be conclusively defined. To expl..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Grants

Awarded by Research Program of the Office of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs


Awarded by NIH Autoimmunity Prevention Center pilot award


Funding Acknowledgements

KO is the recipient of the Grant for Multiple Sclerosis Research Innovation provided by EMD/Merck/Serono, was an Investigator sponsored by the "Race to Erase MS," and was sponsored by a grant from the Department of Defense Multiple Sclerosis Research Program, Research Program of the Office of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (MS110275), by an NIH Autoimmunity Prevention Center pilot award (U19AI050864) and a Career Transition Award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. PS is the recipient of a Hellenic Neurological Society Scholarship.