title: Early activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes by myelin basic protein in subjects with MS.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multiple sclerosis is the most common autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system. In this study, whole blood samples were analyzed for activation capacity and the activatability of CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes by human total myelin basic protein (MBP), human MBP 104-118 fragment, and guinea pig MBP 68-82 fragment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Whole blood samples from healthy human subjects were compared with samples from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). In particular, the expression of CD69, a surface marker of T-lymphocyte activity, was measured via flow cytometry before and after 14 h of incubation with human total MBP, MBP 104-118 fragment and/or guinea pig MBP 68-82 fragment. The results were compared between 15 patients with MS and 15 healthy subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In response to all three MBP forms, CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes from patients with MS demonstrated greater activatability than those from healthy subjects. These results indicate that in patients with MS, latent pre-activation to MBP epitopes results in an increased activation capacity of T-lymphocytes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This effect may occur because immunization against MBP (at least in a subset of patients) plays a pathophysiological role in MS pathogenesis. Alternatively, this result may represent a non-specific, bystander autoimmune phenomenon.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiochemistry, Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital of the Universities of Giessen and Marburg UKGM, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Feulgenstr. 12, 35392, Giessen, Germany. borros.arneth@klinchemie.med.uni-giessen.de.
authors.forename: Borros
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Arneth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000378:metabolism; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002469:Cell Separation; D000939:Epitopes / Q000737:chemistry; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000097:blood*; D000099192:CD69 Antigens
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000939:Epitopes; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein; D000099192:CD69 Antigens; C499048:MBP protein, human