[Increased expression of aminopeptidase N on lymphocytes in multiple sclerosis]

Aminopeptidase N is an ectoenzyme. Its expression on lymphocytes is the effect of cell activation. We studied APN expression on peripheral blood lymphocytes of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and in the control group of patients with other neurological diseases (OND). We observed increased APN expression on lymphocytes of MS patients during acute exacerbation and in the course of chronic progressive MS compared to MS remission and OND groups. No such differences were found in CD11a molecule of LFA-1 integrin expression on lymphocytes. We suppose that APN expression on lymphocyte surface can be a sensitive marker of these cell activation in the course of MS.