Immunological Insights into Multiple Sclerosis

A special issue of Sclerosis (ISSN 2813-3064).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2025 | Viewed by 1626

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Vascular Immunology Unit, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Interests: multiple sclerosis; brain endothelium; inflammation; immunopathology; extracellular vesicles
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Guest Editor
Vascular Immunology Unit, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Interests: vascular cells; endothelial cells; pericytes; cardiovascular diseases

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by the immune system attacking the central nervous system (CNS), leading to demyelination and neurodegeneration. Understanding the immunological underpinnings of MS is crucial for developing effective treatments and improving patient outcomes.

This Special Issue aims to gather cutting-edge research and comprehensive reviews that delve into the immunological aspects of MS. We welcome contributions that explore the roles of various immune cells (such as T cells, B cells, and microglia), cytokines, and other molecular mediators in the pathogenesis of MS. Studies that address the interplay between genetic and environmental factors, the impact of immune system modulation therapies, and the development of novel immunotherapies are particularly encouraged. This collection will provide a deeper understanding of the immunology of MS, potentially guiding future therapeutic strategies and enhancing our ability to manage this challenging disease.

Prof. Dr. Georges E. R. Grau
Dr. Manisha Patil
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sclerosis is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • multiple sclerosis
  • immune system
  • demyelination
  • immune cells

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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19 pages, 885 KiB  
Systematic Review
Efficacy and Immunological Impact of Intrathecal Baclofen Pumps in Managing Spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis in Adult Patients: A Systematic Review
by Billy McBenedict, Wilhelmina Hauwanga, Anna Pogodina, Jeshua Nathaniel Devan, Kang Suen Goh, Ryan Chun Chien Yau, Berley Alphonse, Lorena Adolphsson and Bruno Lima Pessôa
Sclerosis 2025, 3(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/sclerosis3010002 - 14 Jan 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease marked by inflammatory demyelination in the central nervous system, leading to debilitating spasticity. Managing spasticity in MS remains a challenge, and intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy has emerged as a potential targeted treatment. This systematic [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease marked by inflammatory demyelination in the central nervous system, leading to debilitating spasticity. Managing spasticity in MS remains a challenge, and intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy has emerged as a potential targeted treatment. This systematic review investigated the efficacy of ITB pumps in managing MS-related spasticity and explored their immunomodulatory effects. Methods: This review adhered to PRISMA guidelines and was submitted for registration retrospectively with the Open Science Foundation. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science from January 2013 to August 2024. Studies were included if they examined adult MS patients receiving ITB for spasticity, reporting outcomes related to spasticity and quality of life. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools, and findings were synthesized narratively. Results: Eight studies (n = 723 participants) met inclusion criteria. ITB was associated with significant reductions in spasticity severity and improvements in quality of life, with reduced reliance on oral antispasticity medications. Immunologically, ITB has demonstrated potential in modulating inflammatory pathways, downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines, and shifting immune responses toward an anti-inflammatory profile. Common complications included catheter-related issues and infections, with low overall complication rates. Sensitivity analyses indicated robustness in outcomes across higher-quality studies. Conclusions: ITB pumps are effective in controlling spasticity and offer additional immunological benefits for MS patients. Further research should explore ITB’s long-term immunomodulatory effects and its potential in combined therapeutic strategies. The review was not financially supported, and no conflicts of interest were declared by the authors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Immunological Insights into Multiple Sclerosis)
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