[Contribution of immunology to the treatment of multiple sclerosis]

In this article we review recent advances in understanding the immunological mechanisms involved in the genesis of multiple sclerosis (MS).

After considering the indices permitting MS to be included amongst the organ-specific autoimmune inflammatory reactions, we give details of the autoimmune inflammatory reaction seen in MS. In this autoimmune reaction a key part is played by gamma interferon, due to it facilitating the molecular biological mechanisms which maintain inflammation of nerve tissue. We describe details of the most likely explanation for the beneficial effect of beta interferon in the treatment of MS: its antagonism of the effects due to gamma interferon. This antagonism occurs in the mechanism of transcription of messenger RNA induced by gamma interferon. The process of intramolecular marking and the proteins involved in the rapid response in transcription of genes specific to the interferons, constitutes a molecular model which explains satisfactorily the actions of interferons in MS.

This article ends with a review of the immunological effects due to interferon beta which are useful in the treatment of MS.