LYMPHOCYTE SUBSETS IN MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS - A STUDY WITH 2-COLOR FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is postulated to be an immunopathologically me diated disease. This concept is supported by the finding of abnormally distributed peripheral blood T-cell subsets and a decreased T-suppres sor function. Thirty-seven MS patients have been selected according to the criteria for definite MS. Fluorescein- or phycoerythrin-conjugate d monoclonal antibodies have been used to define different lymphocyte subsets: CD4(+), CD5(+), CD8(+), CD19(+), CD38(+), CD45RA(+), CD4(+)CD 45RA(+), CD19(+)CD5(+), CD8(+)CD38(+) In relapsing-remitting (RR)-MS p atients a significantly decreased percentage of CD19(+) cells and in p rogressive MS patients a significantly increased percentage of CD19(+) CD5(+) cells have been found. During a relapse in RR-MS, a significant ly decreased percentage of CD4(+)CD45RA(+) cells and a significantly i ncreased percentage of CD8(+)CD38(+) cells have been observed. Moreove r, in RR-MS patients a significantly increased percentage of CD38(+) c ells 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 cou ld be related to an activation of both cellular and humoral immune res ponse in acute MS.