MS and SLE in twins of successive generations

During a nationwide twin study on multiple sclerosis (MS) in Finland a dizygotic pair discordant for MS was found. The affected co-twin had dizygotic twin daughters. The affected co-twin of the second generation had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Both pairs were thoroughly examined. No evidence of CNS involvement in the healthy co-twins was found. In pairwise comparisons, virus-specific IgG antibodies to measles and mumps were significantly increased in the MS patient whereas the same was true for rubella in the SLE patient. Both MS and SLE patient expressed HLA alleles most often found to be associated with these disorders. Reversed CD4/CD8 ratios were observed in both MS and SLE patient. No difference in interleukin-2 receptor expression were found but gamma-interferon secretion in the MS patient showed marked increase whereas that of the SLE patient was of the same magnitude as in the healthy members. A different triggering stimulus rather than the dissimilarity in the immunogenetic predisposition may be decisive as to whether or not they develop MS or SLE.