Glatiramer acetate, a synthetic analogue of myelin basic protein and an immunomodulating agent, can be used for the research of multiple sclerosis. Glatiramer acetate exhibits strong and promiscuous binding to MHC molecules and consequent competition with various myelin antigens for their presentation to T cells. A further aspect of its action is potent induction of specific suppressor cells of the T helper 2 (Th2) type that migrate to the brain and lead to in situ bystander suppression.
