B lymphocytes in cerebrospinal multiple sclerosis and the role of a B lymphocyte-targeting biologic agent in its therapy
Abstract
The role of B cells in the inflammatory response is much wider as previously thought. B cells are not only antibodies producing cells but are the rich source of various proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines.
B cells can identify various signals of danger or damage. These danger molecules are processed and presented in the form of antigenic peptides in the context of HLA molecules to T cells.
Suprisingly, biological therapy with ocrelizumab targeting CD20 molecule expressed on B cells was evidenced as highly effective therapy of multiple sclerosis in large clinical trials. There are the substantial differencies in the structure and posttranslational modification comparing different antiCD20 monoclonal antibodies.
These differences are responsible for both immediate and longterm adverse effects of this type of biological therapy in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.