Expression of aminopeptidase N (APN) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells' surface as a marker of these cells' transendothelial migration propertiesin the course of multiple sclerosis

CD13 AG and CD11a, CD11b, CD18 molecule expression on peripheral blood mono nuclear cells (PBMC) were studied as these cells' adherent or transendothel ial migration properties in three different multiple sclerosis (MS) patient s groups (total 38): with clinically active MS (acute exacerbation of MS an d primary chronic progressive MS (CP-MS)) and with MS remission. The contro l group consisted of patients, suffering from other non-inflammatory neurol ogical diseases (OND). The results of our study suggest that CD11a/CD18 mol ecules expression on PB lymphocytes, although higher on these cells' surfac e in the course of MS as compared to OND, does not differentiate clinical f orms of MS. CD11a molecule expression on monocytes did not differ significa ntly in all tested MS patient groups in comparison to OND. Although the exp ression of CD11b/CD18 molecules on monocytes' surface shows their activatio n in the course of MS, it does not differentiate them either. However, CD13 Ag of APN expression on PBMC surface may be an immunological marker of MS clinical form. CD13 Ag expression may also be a sensitive marker of these c ells' transendothelial migration properties.