The early stage of multiple sclerosis in the light of molecular and immunological studies

The studied material consisted of patients in the first and second year from the onset of multiple sclerosis. In majority of the studied 18 cases the junctional repertoire of TCR in blood lymphocytes of patients in early phase of MS was restricted demonstrating the mono- or oligoclonal character of rearrangement in the spectrum V delta 1-J delta 1, V delta 5-J delta 1 and V delta 3-J delta 1 in contrast to overwhelming polyclonal picture in the control group. In majority of the cases oligoclonal bands were detected and IgG index was above normal level indicating on intrathecal IgG synthesis. The comparison of humoral immunological markers in the early phase of MS with the control group revealed several higher values in patients, but only concerning TNF alpha level in serum, IgG in CSF and IgG index the differences were statistically significant. After treatment with Prednisone the decrease of all studied markers was established, but significant only of free kappa chains to creatinine ratio in urine. The obtained results indicate, that the early phase of MS is characterised by the profound shift of gamma/delta TCR receptors in direction of mono- or oligoclonal bands in CSF, what may be explained by the oligoclonal expansion of certain B and T cells due to stimulation by an antigen related to MS pathogen.