Active MRI lesion appearance in MS patients is preceded by fluctuations in circulating T-helper 1 and 2 cells.
BACKGROUND
The role of T cell subpopulations and their ability to produce immunoregulatory cytokines has been extensively studied in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the exact mechanisms by which T cells and cytokines contribute to disease activity remain to be clarified.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the longitudinal relation between markers of T cell activation and differentiation and disease activity in MS patients.


METHODS
During a period of 9 months, clinical disease activity was scored, monthly MRI scans were performed, and blood was taken for immune measurements in a group of 13 untreated clinically definite MS patients.


RESULTS
Disease activity, as measured by the occurrence of active MRI lesions, is associated with a significant transient decrease in both T cells producing interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and T cells producing interleukin (IL)-4.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that MRI-documented disease activity is associated with a transient decrease in circulating cytokine producing T cells, possibly due to the migration of activated T cells into the CNS.
Killestein
J
J
Department of Immunobiology, CLB and Laboratory of Experimental and Clinical Immunology of the University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. j.killestein@azvu.nl
Rep
M H
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Barkhof
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Roos
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Adèr
H J
HJ
van Lier
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Polman
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D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002452:Cell Count; D018450:Disease Progression; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D008775:Methylprednisolone