Immunohistochemical study of vascular injury in acute multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the vascular changes occurring in three archival cases of acute multiple sclerosis, and to provide immunohistochemical evidence of early endothelial cell activation and vascular occlusion in this condition.


METHODS
Central nervous system tissues from three cases of acute active multiple sclerosis and six non-inflammatory controls were stained using the following methods: haematoxylin and eosin, Luxol fast blue, cresyl violet, Bielschowsky's silver, and reticulin. Tissues were also immunostained with specific antibodies against collagen type IV, factor XIIIa, class II antigens, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and fibrinogen.


RESULTS
Early vascular endothelial cell activation which may progress to vasculitis and vascular occlusion including class II antigen expression and fibrin deposition were identified. The vascular changes were seen prior to cerebral parenchymal reaction and demyelination, and were not seen in control cerebral tissues.


CONCLUSIONS
It is proposed that vascular endothelial cell activation may be an early and pivotal event in the evolution of multiple sclerosis, and that demyelination may have an ischaemic basis in this condition. The vascular endothelium may contain an early element in the evolution of multiple sclerosis.
Wakefield
A J
AJ
Academic Department of Medicine, Royal Free Hospital, School of Medicine, London.
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L J
LJ
Difford
J
J
McLaughlin
J E
JE
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005337:Fibrin / Q000032:analysis; D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000737:chemistry; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology
D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D005337:Fibrin