title: Effect of cyclosporine on rubella virus-specific immune responses in chronic progressive multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Cyclosporine A (CsA) has been used in putative autoimmune diseases after sensitization to unknown antigens. We have previously shown that CsA prevented continued activation of T-cells in chronic progressive multiple sclerosis (CPMS) patients. The current study was undertaken to determine whether CsA, or CsA and prednisone (CsA + P) could suppress immune responses to a common recall antigen. Serum antibody levels were higher in all CPMS patients than age-matched normal controls. However, rubella antibody titers in the CsA or CsA + P groups were no different from a placebo-treated CPMS patient group. The lymphocyte responses to inactivated rubella virus of CsA and CsA + P-treated CPMS patients were lower than placebo and control but not statistically different. Therapy with both CSA and CSA + P was associated with significantly lower panel mixed leukocyte responses and Ta1 expression than in the placebo-treated group; CD3, CD4, CD8 antigen expression and active rosette formation by T-cells were similar for the three CPMS groups. These results suggest that while CsA exerts measurable effects on non-specific indicators of cellular immunity in CPMS patients, it may not be as effective in suppressing pre-existent specific immune responses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nath
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Wolinsky
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Kerman
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003524:Cyclosporins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D012412:Rubella virus / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D003524:Cyclosporins; D004338:Drug Combinations; D011241:Prednisone