T8 antigen density on peripheral blood lymphocytes remains unchanged during exacerbations of multiple sclerosis.
Fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis was used to quantitate the antigen density of the lymphocyte markers T3, T4, T8, and Leu 7 on the surface of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC) from exacerbating/remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Serial studies showed that the mean fluoresce intensity for all the markers studied did not change significantly during exacerbations. There was a tendency for a generalized decline in T-cells, evidenced by a drop in both T8+- and T4+-cells; however, these changes were not statistically significant. It appears, therefore, that the lymphocyte markers studied here are not useful as markers of disease activity in exacerbating/remitting MS.
D000328:Adult; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*
D000941:Antigens; D000954:Antigens, Surface