Lymphocyte subsets in multiple sclerosis. A study with two-colour fluorescence analysis.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is postulated to be an immunopathologically mediated disease. This concept is supported by the finding of abnormally distributed peripheral blood T-cell subsets and a decreased T-suppressor function. Thirty-seven MS patients have been selected according to the criteria for definite MS. Fluorescein- or phycoerythrin-conjugated monoclonal antibodies have been used to define different lymphocyte subsets: CD4+, CD5+, CD8+, CD19+, CD38+, CD45RA+, CD4+CD45RA+, CD19+CD5+, CD8+CD38+. In relapsing-remitting (RR)-MS patients a significantly decreased percentage of CD19+ cells and in progressive MS patients a significantly increased percentage of CD19+CD5+ cells have been found. During a relapse in RR-MS, a significantly decreased percentage of CD4+CD45RA+ cells and a significantly increased percentage of CD8+CD38+ cells have been observed. Moreover, in RR-MS patients a significantly increased percentage of CD38+ cells and significantly high IgM amounts have been found. The increased percentage of CD19+CD5+ and CD38+ cells (together with high IgM levels) and the reduced percentage of CD4+CD45RA+ lymphocytes could be related to an activation of both cellular and humoral immune response in acute MS.
Bongioanni
P
P
Clinical Physiology, NRC, University of Pisa, Italy. Bongioanni@sssupl.sssup.it
Fioretti
C
C
Vanacore
R
R
Bianchi
F
F
Lombardo
F
F
Ambrogi
F
F
Meucci
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology*; D012008:Recurrence; D012016:Reference Values; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD