Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central 
nervous system with no clear etiology. Until recently, most studies have 
emphasized the role of T cells in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Data 
suggesting that B cells play a role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis 
have been accumulating for the past five decades, demonstrating that the 
cerebrospinal fluid and central nervous system tissues of multiple sclerosis 
patients contain B cells, plasma cells, antibodies, and immunoglobulins. Data 
suggest that B cells are involved in antigen capture and presentation to T 
cells, cytokine production, antibody secretion, demyelination, tissue damage, 
and remyelination in multiple sclerosis. These advances in the understanding of 
B-cell and antibody roles in the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis provide a 
strong rationale for B-cell-targeted therapies.