Immune responses against the myelin/oligodendrocyte glycoprotein in experimental autoimmune demyelination

J Clin Immunol. 2001 May;21(3):155-70. doi: 10.1023/a:1011031014433.

Abstract

Myelin/oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is a surface-exposed antigen of myelin and an important target for autoimmune responses which mediate inflammatory demyelination in the central nervous system. Experimentally, MOG induces strong pathogenic T cell responses in many strains of laboratory animals. Immunological studies in humans also identify MOG as a surprisingly prevalent antigenic molecule among the myelin proteins. In addition, the encephalitogenic properties of MOG are linked to the induction of antibody responses which have been demonstrated to directly promote central nervous system demyelination, a hallmark neuropathological feature in disorders such as human multiple sclerosis. Factors responsible for autoimmunity to MOG likely include genetic influences as well as other mechanisms, which are the subject of intense investigation. This article reviews experimental data currently available on specificity and pathogenic roles of T cell and antibody responses against MOG, which have implications relevant to multiple sclerosis and related disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Surface
  • Autoantibodies / biosynthesis
  • Autoantigens
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS / etiology
  • Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS / immunology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / etiology
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / immunology
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Multiple Sclerosis / etiology
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology
  • Myelin Proteins
  • Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein / genetics
  • Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein / immunology*
  • Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein
  • Primates
  • Rats
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, Surface
  • Autoantibodies
  • Autoantigens
  • MOG protein, human
  • Mog protein, mouse
  • Mog protein, rat
  • Myelin Proteins
  • Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein
  • Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein