Costimulatory molecules B7-1 and B7-2 on CSF cells in multiple sclerosis and optic neuritis

The aberrant expression of B7 costimulatory molecules is involved in the pa thogenesis of autoimmune diseases and overexpression of B7-1 was found in i nflammatory multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions. We here report that costimulat ory molecules B7-1 and B7-2 are expressed on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) mono cytes and B-lymphocytes from patients with MS, optic neuritis (ON) and othe r inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) diseases. In patients with ON b ut not MS, increased expression of B7-2 was detected as compared to non-inf lammatory controls. The expression of B7-1 in MS and ON patients correlates with disease duration but not with relapses in patients with MS indicating a role in early disease but not as a reliable marker of disease activity a t later stages of MS. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.