Multiple sclerosis: a pivotal role for the T cell in lesion development

The recognition of an increasing number of similarities between the immunologic anomalies associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) and the T cell-mediated demyelinating model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), has resulted in considerable focusing of investigative approaches. It appears that irrespective of the elucidation of the nature of the putative aetiological factor (presumed to be viral) in MS, the arrest and reversal of T cell-related events within the CNS in this devastating condition represent feasible goals and should remain a major target for some time to come. This short review summarizes the current major areas of activity as they relate to T cell involvement in the immunopathology of MS (and EAE) and presents them in the context of potential therapeutic relevance. In the light of laboratory experiments in which ablation or counteraction of the inflammatory response within the central nervous system (CNS) appears to lead to cessation of immune-mediated disease and encouragement of CNS remyelination, the prospects of similar strategies being applied to MS are becoming increasingly strong.