The activation of memory CD4(+) T cells and CD8(+) T cells in patients with multiple sclerosis.
To reevaluate whether an association exists between the clinical course of multiple sclerosis (MS) and the activation of memory T cells, we investigated the phenotype of T cells in peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with MS using five-color flow cytometry. A cross-sectional study with 39 relapsing-remitting MS patients demonstrated that the percentage of CD25(+)CD45RO(+)CD4(+)CD3(+) cells was significantly increased in peripheral blood as well as in CSF of active MS patients compared with inactive MS patients. A longitudinal study with 11 relapsing-remitting MS patients also showed a higher percentage of CD25(+)CD45RO(+)CD4(+)CD3(+) cells in peripheral blood at the phase of exacerbation than during remission. On the other hand, regardless of the disease activity, the percentage of CD25(+)CD45RO(+)CD8(+)CD3(+) cells in peripheral blood was significantly higher in patients with MS than in healthy control subjects. A lower percentage of CD25(+)CD45RO(+)CD8(+)CD3(+) cells in CSF was observed in active MS patients compared with inactive MS patients. These results suggest that the activation of memory CD4(+) T cells is associated with the exacerbation of MS and activation of memory CD8(+) T cells reflects systemic immunological dysregulation in MS patients. Transient as well as continuous activation of T cells by recall antigens may be involved in the disease course of MS.
Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA. y.okuda@tane.or.jp
Yoshinobu
Y
Okuda
Misa
M
Okuda
Brian R
BR
Apatoff
David N
DN
Posnett
D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000276:immunology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D015703:Antigens, CD