CD4(+)CD45RO(+)CD49d(high) cells are involved in the pathogenesis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
In the animal model of multiple sclerosis, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, encephalitogenic T cells differ from the non-encephalitogenic ones in their expression of CD49d. The disease-inducing CD49d(high) and not the CD49d(low) cells enter the brain parenchyma. In this context, we characterized CD4(+)(CD45RO(+))CD49d(high) cells in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS) patients. These cells, showing characteristics of activated cells able to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, were found to be increased in peripheral blood during relapses and present in high numbers in cerebrospinal fluid. These results suggest that the CD4(+)CD45RO(+)CD49d(high) subpopulation in RR-MS patients includes autoreactive cells and may be target for immunotherapy.
Barrau
M A
MA
Unitat de Neuroimmunologia Clínica, Servei de Neurologia, Hospital General Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Ps Vall d'Hebron 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.
Montalban
X
X
Sáez-Torres
I
I
Brieva
L
L
Barberà
N
N
Martínez-Cáceres
E M
EM
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D039441:Integrin alpha4; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D039441:Integrin alpha4; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens