Apoptosis of T cells in peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid is associated with disease activity of multiple sclerosis.
Apoptotic elimination of pathogenic T cells is considered to be one of regulatory mechanisms in multiple sclerosis (MS). To explore the potential relationship between Fas-mediated apoptosis and the disease course of MS, we examined apoptosis, defined by annexin V (AV) binding, and Fas (CD95) expression in CD4+ and in CD8+ T cells in MS patients by using five-color flow cytometry. The percentage of AV+CD4+CD3+ cells and CD95+AV+CD4+CD3+ cells in peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were significantly decreased in active MS patients compared with inactive MS patients. A significantly lower proportion of CD95+AV+CD8+CD3+ cells in CSF was observed in active MS patients compared with inactive MS patients, but not in peripheral blood. These results indicate that the resistance of T cells to Fas-mediated apoptosis is involved in exacerbation of MS and/or that Fas-mediated apoptosis of T cells is associated with remission of MS.
Okuda
Yoshinobu
Y
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
Apatoff
Brian R
BR
Posnett
David N
DN
D000328:Adult; D017304:Annexin A5 / Q000378:metabolism; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000473:pathology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000378:metabolism
D017304:Annexin A5; D015703:Antigens, CD; D019014:fas Receptor