Innate Immunopathological Mechanisms in Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive disease that affects the central nervous system. The core features of MS are demyelination and inflammation. Demyelination refers to degeneration of myelin that covers the neurons and helps facilitate neuronal impulses. Loss of myelin results in inability to conduct impulses, which causes core symptoms of MS such as unsteadiness, weakness, numbness, and tingling. Inflammation is observed at the site of demyelination in the form of scars, and hence, the term sclerosis. Innate immunity is that part of the immune system that is present from birth. Over the years, adaptive immunity has been extensively studied with respect to MS in human and experimental disease models. However, recent evidence has increasingly pointed to significant involvement of innate immune mechanisms in the pathogenesis of MS. This chapter reviews the latest evidence regarding innate immune components such as blood–brain barrier, microglial cells, and complement system, and their role in MS pathogenesis.