Pharmacogenomics of interferon-β in multiple sclerosis: What has been accomplished and how can we ensure future progress?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that involves the demyelination of axons in the central nervous system (CNS). It is unclear what triggers the development of MS, although its pathogenesis has been linked to an abnormal immune cell response toward myelin and oligodendrocytes. It is believed that Th1 T-helper cells permeate the blood-brain barrier, where they activate cytokines that recruit other immune cells that in turn contribute to axonal damage [34]. These mechanisms may result in an increased number and volume of brain lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which correlate to some degree with disease progression [106].

Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - October 31, 2014 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Rebecca J. Carlson, J. Ronald Doucette, Katherine Knox, Adil J. Nazarali Tags: Survey Source Type: research