Lymphocyte subsets in multiple sclerosis - A study with two-colour fluorescence analysis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is postulated to be an immunopathologically mediated disease. This concept is supported by the finding of abnormally distributed peripheral blood T-cell subsets and a decreased T-suppressor function. Thirty-seven MS patients have been selected according to the criteria for definite MS. Fluorescein- or phycoerythrin-conjugated monoclonal antibodies have been used to define different lymphocyte subsets: CD4(+), CD5(+), CD8(+), CD19(+), CD38(+), CD45RA(+), CD4(+)CD45RA(+), CD19(+)CD5(+), CD8(+)CD38(+) In relapsing-remitting (RR)-MS patients a significantly decreased percentage of CD19(+) cells and in progressive MS patients a significantly increased percentage of CD19(+)CD5(+) cells have been found. During a relapse in RR-MS, a significantly decreased percentage of CD4(+)CD45RA(+) cells and a significantly increased percentage of CD8(+)CD38(+) cells have been observed. Moreover, in RR-MS patients a significantly increased percentage of CD38(+) cells and significantly high IgM amounts have been found. The increased percentage of CD19(+)CD5(+) and CD38(+) cells (together with high IgM levels) and the reduced percentage of CD4(+)CD45RA(+) lymphocytes could be related to an activation of both cellular and humoral immune response in acute MS.