Glatiramer (acetate)

Glatiramer (acetate) is a mixture of synthetic polypeptides composed of four amino acids found in myelin basic protein (MBP): L-Alanine, L-glutamic acid, L-lysine, and L-tyrosine. It prevents MBP from binding to MHC class II molecules in the periphery and induces the production of immunomodulatory molecules considered to be anti-inflammatory.{33964} It also increases proliferation of oligodendrocyte and neuronal precursor cells in the central nervous system of mice.{33965,33963} Formulations containing glatiramer (acetate) are used to treat patients with multiple sclerosis, particularly the relapsing-remitting type.{33966}