title: B-cell differentiation in multiple sclerosis and the effect of intravenous ACTH.
abstract: B-cell differentiation was studied in patients with MS and in age- and sex-matched controls, using a pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-stimulated in vitro culture system. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were obtained and separated into T-cell and non-T-cell fractions. Autologous and allogeneic combinations of T cells and B cells were cultured in the presence of pokeweed mitogen for 7 days. Numbers of plaque-forming cells (PFC) were measured at the end of the culture period. T cells from MS patients before and after a 10-day course of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were able to cooperate fully in the generation of PWM-generated PFC. B cells from MS patients showed a decreased ability to differentiate into PFC in the presence of either autologous or allogeneic T cells. No significant change in differentiation was observed after a 10-day course of intravenous ACTH. We were thus unable to demonstrate any alteration in T-cell function in MS but were able to demonstrate a decreased ability of MS B cells to differentiate into immunoglobulin-secreting cells. ACTH had no significant effect on these abnormalities.
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D000921:Antibody-Producing Cells / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D006801:Humans; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology*; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone