Interleukin-2 receptor expression on blood monocytes of patients with multiple sclerosis.
We studied the expression of class II MHC product (HLA DR) and IL-2 receptor on circulating monocytes (M phi) in MS patients, neurological and healthy controls, by double color flow cytometry. In all groups most M phi were DR+ without significant differences. More interesting, low percentages of IL-2+ M phi were detectable in healthy and neurological controls, whilst a few MS patients with active disease showed higher levels. This finding is in agreement with similar studies in other T-cell mediated diseases and with the report of rare IL-2+ macrophages in MS plaques. Although the actual role of IL-2+ M phi in the immune response still needs elucidation, our findings suggest their relevance to the pathological process of demyelinating disease.
Zaffaroni
M
M
Centro Studi Sclerosi Multipla, Università di Milano Ospedale di Gallarate.
Ghezzi
A
A
Callea
L
L
Zibetti
A
A
D000328:Adult; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000097:blood*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2