A study of some immunological variables in twins, discordant for multiple sclerosis.
11 twin pairs, discordant for multiple sclerosis (MS), were studied: 5 were monozygotic, 6 dizygotic. The mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR) with cells from unrelated patients with MS, the natural killer cell (NK) activity, OKT 4/OKT 8 ratio, and monocyte numbers were studied. The impaired MLR seen in some patients with MS was even more pronounced in the healthy twin, irrespective of the zygosity of the twins. A reduced NK activity and a high OKT 4/OKT 8 ratio is seen in the diseased twin compared to the healthy one, more strongly indicated at monozygosity. The significance of genetics, early environment, and disease is discussed.
Heltberg
A
A
Kalland
T
T
Källén
B
B
Nilsson
O
O
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D014427:Twins
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal