title: Phenotypic markers and functional characteristics of T lymphocyte clones from cerebrospinal fluid in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: We have recently developed a technique for direct expansion of human T lymphocyte clones from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with acute infections of the central nervous system (CNS). In the present study, T lymphocyte clones were established directly from the CSF of 4 patients with multiple sclerosis by limiting dilution in the presence of T cell growth factor and irradiated feeder cells. In 3 patients the CSF was obtained during an exacerbation of their disease. Cloning efficiencies ranged between 4 and 6%. About 40 clones per patient were available for surface marker analysis and functional studies. Typing of the clones for membrane antigens revealed the following results: 75-100% had the OKT4+8- and 0-25% the OKT4-8+ phenotype. Only one clone expressed both surface markers. When tested for PHA-dependent cytotoxicity, all OKT8+ clones and about 50% of the OKT4+ clones were found to express cytotoxic activity. Studies on the proliferative response showed that all OKT4+ and the majority of OKT8+ clones were capable of TCGF-independent, mitogen-induced proliferation. Screening of the clones for specific reactivity against a panel of antigens including measles virus, mumps virus, Epstein-Barr virus and myelin basic protein (MBP) did not reveal significant specific reactivity.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D002999:Clone Cells; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008459:Measles virus / Q000276:immunology; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000276:immunology; D009109:Mumps virus / Q000276:immunology; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000276:immunology; D010641:Phenotype; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid