Figure 3.

Role of dendritic cells (DCs) and T cells in the development and progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is an immune mediated disease characterized by an initial inflammatory event consisting of presentation of as yet unknown antigens to CD8 T cells, their entry across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) into the central nervous system (CNS), and their subsequent reactivation by CNS resident DCs and microglial cells. This results in an inflammatory cascade involving secretion of several proinflammatory mediators such as cytokines IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF- α. The release of these cytokines initiates the degenerative phase that is characterized by increase in iNOS, NO, glutamate, and ROS, which brings about formation of inflammatory lesions, gliosis, and demyelination, which are the hallmarks of MS.