Evidence for a role of gamma delta T cells in demyelinating diseases as determined by activation states and responses to lipid antigens

In this report we review current information on the phenotypic and function al properties of gamma delta T cells in demyelinating disorders. The result s support the conclusion that although gamma delta T cells show evidence of activation in patients with either multiple sclerosis (MS) or Guillain Bar re syndrome (GBS), differences exist in the phenotypic and functional prope rties of these cells between the two diseases. In particular. our data indi cate that in patients with MS the V delta 2 subset is activated and that th ese cells can be induced to secrete high levels of proinflammatory cytokine s. in contrast, in patients with GBS, the V delta 2 subset is expanded and can be induced to secrete cytokines more associated with a humoral response . (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.