We report on a patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) in which we documented
an elevated percentage of activated CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells in peri
pheral blood lymphocytes. NK cells from the patient lysed preferentially gl
ioblastoma but not neuroblastoma cells. Killing of glial cells was not inhi
bited by a monoclonal antibody against: a monomorphic determinant of MHC cl
ass I gene products. Lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cell function in the
MS patient was comparable to that of controls. Analysis of cytokine produc
tion during resting or activated states demonstrated that this patient had
a deficit in the ability to secrete T cell derived cytokines associated wit
h increased production of TNF alpha, a product of NK cells. Taken together,
these data indicate a possible involvement of NK cells in the pathogenesis
of MS. Human Immunology 60, 231-238 (1999). (C) American Society for Histo
compatibility and Immunogenetics, 1999. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.