Most experts believe that multiple sclerosis is an autoimmunedisease in which T cells recognize and attack components ofthe axonal myelin sheath and other features of the central nervoussystem, destroying myelin and the underlying axon. Althoughself-reactive T cells are present in the immune system of peoplewith multiple sclerosis, they are also found in a quiescentstate in perfectly healthy people. Their pathogenic potentialis realized only on acute activation, which can occur throughdifferent mechanisms. Recent work by Lang and colleagues focusedon molecular mimicry, one of the presumed triggers of autoimmunity.1
From the Department of Neuroimmunology, Max-Planck Institute for Neurobiology, Martinsried, Germany.
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