Autoantigens and autoantibodies in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by recurrent episodes of demyelination and axonal lesion mediated by CD4+ T cells with a proinflammatory T helper (Th)1 and Th17 phenotypes, macrophages, and soluble inflammatory mediators. The overactive pro-inflammatory Th1 cells and clonal expansion of B cells initiate an inflammatory cascade with several cellular and molecular immune components participating in MS pathogenic mechanisms. In this scenario, autoantibodies and autoantigens have a significant role in immunopathogenesis, diagnosis and therapeutic targets of MS. In this review, we try to introduce the autoantigens and autoantibodies and explain their roles in pathogenesis of MS.