Apoptosis in multiple sclerosis.

Several recent studies have provided evidence that apoptosis is an important feature in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Apoptosis presumably plays a role in the immunoregulation via activation-induced T-cell death (AICD) and in local processes of tissue damage. In this review the dual role of apoptosis in the MS pathogenesis and its relevance regarding therapeutic concepts is discussed.