Is there a role for NK cells in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis? A case study

We report on a patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) in which we documented an elevated percentage of activated CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells in peripheral blood lymphocytes. NK cells from the patient lysed preferentially glioblastoma but not neuroblastoma cells. Killing of glial cells was not inhibited by a monoclonal antibody against a monomorphic determinant of MHC class I gene products. Lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cell function in the MS patient was comparable to that of controls. Analysis of cytokine production during resting or activated states demonstrated that this patient had a deficit in the ability to secrete T cell derived cytokines associated with increased production of TNFalpha, a product of NK cells. Taken together, these data indicate a possible involvement of NK cells in the pathogenesis of MS.