Modeling pathogenic B cell function in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Success of B cell depletion therapy in multiple sclerosis (MS), an immune-mediated demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, places B cells and their functions center stage in efforts to fully understand pathogenesis. Historically, MS animal models of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis have featured B cell-independent disease driven by CD4 T cells activated against central nervous system myelin protein epitopes and have provided many insights into autoreactive T cell biology in the context of neuroinflammation and demyelination. Meanwhile, B cells' growing significance in MS necessitated the development of B cell-dependent experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis models, which have allowed for critical exploration into pathogenic B cell functions during immune-mediated demyelinating disease, including cytokine and antibody production, as well as antigen presentation to autoreactive CD4 T cells. These advances represent an important arena for investigating MS pathogenesis. In this review, we summarize the various approaches taken to engage pathogenic B cells in animal models of MS.