A role for the complement alternative pathway in the pathology of multiple sclerosis grey matter lesions

In multiple sclerosis (MS), pathology of cortical and deep grey matter structures is predictive of a more rapid transit to the progressive phase and a more disabling disease. As all aspects of the complement system are activated in white matter (WM) lesions of progressive MS, we aim to understand the role of complement in the pathogenesis of grey matter (GM) lesions. We analysed the expression of classical (C1q, C4d), alternative (C3b–iC3b, Bb) and terminal (TCC) pathways of complement activation in post-mortem tissue from 22 progressive (13 SPMS, 9 male, median age at death 50years (38–66)); 8 inflammatory controls (viral encephalitis and stroke; 6 male, 37years (17–65)) and 10 non-diseased controls (4 male, 65years (42–72)), in cortical (superior frontal, cingulate and temporal) and deep GM (thalamus, hippocampus) lesions by immunocytochemistry with brightfield and epi-fluorescence microscopy.
Source: Journal of Neuroimmunology - Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Tags: 324 Source Type: research