Increased numbers of CCR5(+) interferon-gamma- and tumor necrosis factor-alpha-secreting T lymphocytes in multiple sclerosis patients

To determine the frequency of in vivo activated T(H)1 lymphocytes; T-cell s ubsets of 9 multiple sclerosis patients with active disease and 17 healthy controls were analyzed by immunostaining for CCR5, CD26, and their expressi on of interleukin-2, interferon-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. The numbers of CCR5(+) interferon-gamma- and tumor necrosis factor-alpha-produ cing T cells were significantly increased in the peripheral blood of multip le sclerosis patients. CCR5 expression may be a useful marker to identify e ffector cells in multiple sclerosis and could be used as a tool for monitor ing disease activity.