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Fluctuations in T helper subpopulations in relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
Author(s) -
Corrigan E.,
Hutchinson M.,
Feighery C.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1990.tb00992.x
Subject(s) - multiple sclerosis , cd4 t cell , immunology , medicine , endocrinology , t lymphocyte , biology , t cell , immune system
Patients with active multiple sclerosis (MS) have been reported to have a depletion of CD4 + CD45R + cells, the immature resting CD4 + subpopulation. Using Leu 3a(anti‐CD4) and Leu 18(anti‐CD45R), the frequencies and absolute numbers of CD4 + CD45R + and CD4 + CD45R ‐ subsets were measured in 30 patients with MS and 17 healthy controls. These subsets were monitored every 6 weeks over a 6 month period. CD4 + CD45R‐ cells were found to be increased in relapse compared to remission (p < 0.005) while CD4 + CD45R + levels were not significantly altered in relapse. However, the CD4 + subset ratio (CD4 + CD45R‐/CD4 + CD45R + ) was significantly higher in relapse compared with remission (p < 0.002). Furthermore, these findings were upheld when data from the same 6 patients in relapse and remission was compared. Increased disease activity was not associated with changes in any of the other parameters measured (total T cells, total CD4 + cells, suppressor cells or activated T cells). These results sugest that relapse in MS is accompanied by the conversion of CD4 + CD45R + resting cells to CD4 + CD45R‐ primed cells.