Molecular mimicry in multiple sclerosis.

Most experts believe that multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease in which T cells recognize and attack components of the axonal myelin sheath and other features of the central nervous system, destroying myelin and the underlying axon. Although self-reactive T cells are present in the immune system of people with multiple sclerosis, they are also found in a quiescent state in perfectly healthy people. Their pathogenic potential is realized only on acute activation, which can occur through different mechanisms. Recent work by Lang and colleagues focused on molecular mimicry, one of the presumed triggers of autoimmunity. 1