summary: In this study in animal models of MS, the authors examined two possible mechanisms through which medications able to reduce the effect of B-cells that are implicated in generating the inflammatory response in the body, could be effective in reducing inflammation in MS. They found that medications able to block a molecule called CD-20 that is localised on B-cells, are effective in reducing the inflammatory power of B-cells. However, they stress that a non-selective elimination of B cells could be dangerous, as these cells also have a beneficial anti-inflammatory influence on other immune cells.

authors: Weber MS, Prod'homme T, Patarroyo JC, Molnarfi N, Karnezis T, Lehmann-Horn K, Danilenko DM, Eastham-Anderson J, Slavin AJ, Linington C, Bernard CC, Martin F, Zamvil SS.

source: Ann Neurol. 2010 Jul 16. [Epub ahead of print]

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