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Increased T cell expression of CD154 (CD40‐ligand) in multiple sclerosis
Author(s) -
Jensen J.,
Krakauer M.,
Sellebjerg F.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
european journal of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.881
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1468-1331
pISSN - 1351-5101
DOI - 10.1046/j.1468-1331.2001.00232.x
Subject(s) - cd154 , multiple sclerosis , pathogenesis , medicine , cd40 , flow cytometry , immunology , cd8 , t cell , immune system , cytotoxic t cell , biology , in vitro , biochemistry
CD154 (CD40‐ligand, gp39), expressed on activated T cells, is crucial in T cell‐dependent immune responses and may be involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). We studied cerebro‐spinal fluid and peripheral blood T cell expression of CD154 in MS by flow cytometry. Patients with secondary progressive MS (SPMS) had constitutive CD154 expression on CD4 and CD8 T cells in blood. Constitutive CD154 expression was not observed in patients with relapsing‐remitting MS (RRMS) or clinically isolated syndromes (CIS) suggestive of demyelinating disease. After ex vivo activation CD154 was, however, expressed on a higher percentage of T cells from patients with CIS or RRMS than from healthy control subjects. These results suggest involvement of CD154 in the pathogenesis of MS, and the shift from a relapsing‐remitting to a secondary progressive disease course may be associated with constitutive, systemic CD154 expression.