title: Reduced thymic output and peripheral naïve CD4 T-cell alterations in primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS).
abstract: We compared naïve CD4 and CD8 T-cell homeostasis in primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS), relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and controls. Quantitation of signal joint T-cell receptor (TCR) excision circles (sjTRECs) and quantitative estimates of daily thymic export confirm our previous report of reduced thymic output in RRMS and demonstrate reduced thymic output in PPMS. In PPMS, the decreasing % CD31+ naïve CD4 T-cells but constant sjTRECs and constant naïve CD4 T-cell numbers with age, together with increased Bcl-2 expression suggest increased TCR signaling with increased naïve T-cell survival. We conclude PPMS patients have peripheral immune alterations related to reduced thymic output.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, McGill University, 3775 rue University, Montreal, QC, Canada H3A 2B4. david.haegert@muhc.mcgill.ca
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Haegert
authors.forename: Jessica D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Hackenbroch
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Duszczyszyn
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fitz-Gerald
authors.forename: Evelyn
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zastepa
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lapierre
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Antel
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bar-Or
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020528:Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell