New insights in multiple sclerosis pathology

Current concepts suggest that relapse associated worsening as well as progression independent of relapse activity contributes to the long-term disability outcome of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). In this review, we summarize recent studies aiming at the identification of the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving disease progression with a strong focus on studies analyzing human tissue samples.

Tissue resident memory cells and microglia emerge as important drivers of persisting inflammation within the central nervous system (CNS) and disease progression in MS. Furthermore, the detrimental role of soluble factors for neurons, synapses and remyelination becomes more evident. Combined experimental and human tissue studies revealed detrimental neuronal injury mechanisms triggered by interferon γ. The analysis of MS tissue samples by modern -omic approaches added to the disentangling of the complex interactions between invading and resident immune cells as well as neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.

Knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving MS progression has substantially advanced in recent years and modern -omics analyses of well-characterized MS tissues provide unprecedented insight into disease mechanisms and potentially open avenues for novel therapeutic approaches targeting CNS intrinsic inflammation, neurodegeneration and promotion of remyelination.