title: CD95/Fas expression on peripheral blood T lymphocytes in patients with multiple sclerosis: effect of high-dose methylprednisolone therapy.
abstract: Recent data indicate that the apoptotic process, mediated by the CD95/Fas cell surface receptor, is impaired in activated lymphocytes of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Using flow cytometric-immunophenotyping, we analyzed the expression of CD95/Fas on peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes (PBL) in 10 MS patients in relapse, and the effect of pulse corticosteroid therapy on the apoptosis of autoreactive lymphocytes. The proportions of CD8+ and CD8+CD95+ T lymphocytes were significantly higher in MS patients in relapse before than after pulse corticosteroid therapy. Conversely, the proportions of CD4+ and CD4+CD95+ T cells were significantly lower before than after therapy, but not significantly different from healthy persons. The different expression of CD95/Fas on peripheral blood CD8+ T lymphocytes in relapsing RRMS and in healthy controls suggests a possible involvement of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of MS. Our results also show that pulse corticosteroid therapy influences the CD95/Fas expression on CD8+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes in patients with RRMS.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Neurology, Zagreb University Hospital Center, Kispaticeva 12, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia. zpetelin@mef.hr
authors.forename: Zeljka
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Petelin
authors.forename: Vesna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Brinar
authors.forename: Damir
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Petravic
authors.forename: Niko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zurak
authors.forename: Klara
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dubravcic
authors.forename: Drago
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Batinic
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D019014:fas Receptor; D008775:Methylprednisolone