Immune cells attacking myelin sheath

In autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, immune cells—primarily T lymphocytes (CD4+ and CD8+), B lymphocytes, macrophages, and microglia—infiltrate the central nervous system and attack the myelin sheath, the protective covering of nerve fibers[1][2][3][4][5][7][9][10]. This demyelination disrupts nerve conduction, leading to neurological dysfunction. The immune assault involves both antibody-mediated responses (by B cells) and cytotoxic responses (by T cells), and is characterized by CNS inflammation, oligodendrocyte loss, and axonal injury[2][3][4][8][9]. Immunotherapies for multiple sclerosis aim to suppress or modulate this aberrant immune activity to protect myelin and prevent further neurological damage.

Other names

Immune-mediated demyelinationAutoimmune attack on myelinCNS-directed autoimmunity

Immune suppression/modulation Lymphocyte trafficking inhibition B cell depletion T cell inhibition/modulation