title: T-cell subsets in multiple sclerosis: a comparative study between cell surface antigens and function.
abstract: Pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-driven immunoglobulin synthesis (IgG, IgA, IgM) and concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated suppression of allogeneic mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR) were studied and compared to T-cell subsets defined by monoclonal antibodies OKT4 and OKT8 in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The group of patients with active progressive MS showed diminished suppressor activity as measured by T-cell functional tests and also an elevated OKT4/OKT8 ratio. The group of MS patients in remission did not show these abnormalities. However, this correlation between functional tests and T-cell phenotypes was not found when separate individuals were considered within the subgroups of MS. Since neither OKT4 nor OKT8-reactive cells represent homogeneous functional subsets of T cells, the OKT4/OKT8 ratio does not account for the functional immunological status of separate individuals but rather provides a global evaluation of T-cell subset disturbances in different groups of diseases.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000276:immunology*; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology*; D010641:Phenotype; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D003208:Concanavalin A