title: Dual labelling of circulating CD8 cells in patients with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Peripheral blood T cell phenotypes have been analysed in serial samples from patients with multiple sclerosis, their unaffected relatives and controls using a panel of antibodies chosen to distinguish T suppressor and activated suppressor cells from other CD8 lymphocytes. Overall, the percentage of Leu 2a cells correlated with alterations in the Leu 2a/15 suppressor sub-population (r = 0.79, p less than 0.001). Fewer circulating Leu 2a and Leu 2a/15 positive cells were identified in multiple sclerosis patients than unaffected individuals but there was no alteration in percentage of activated (Leu 2a/DR) CD8 cells. These findings suggest that the fluctuations in CD8 cells, characteristic of patients with multiple sclerosis, are due to alterations in T suppressor phenotype; this may then lower the threshold for activation of other T cell subpopulations.
authors.affiliation: Section of Neurology, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Kirk
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Compston
mesh_terms: D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*