High CD6 and low chemokine receptor expression on peripheral blood lymphocytes correlates with MRI gadolinium enhancement in MS
Anna Jurewicz1, Krzysztof Zaleski1, Malgorzata Domowicz1
1Department of Neurology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
Abstract:
Correlation between gadolinium-enhancing [Gd(+)] lesions on MRI and expression of CD6 molecules and a group of chemokine receptors on peripheral blood (PB) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) immune cells was measured in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Twenty remitting-relapsing MS patients with (n=10) and without (n=10) Gd(+) lesions entered the study. mRNA and surface expression of CD6 and CCR1, CCR2, CCR3 and CCR5 was measured by immunostaining and flow cytometry. Expression of mRNA and surface staining for CD6 in PB T lymphocytes was increased in Gd(+) compared to Gd(-) patients (p<0.01; p<0.05, respectively). CD6 mRNA correlated with the number and size of Gd(+) lesions (r=0.67, and r=0.65 respectively). mRNA and surface expression for CCR1, CCR2, and CCR3 in PB cells was lower in Gd(+) compared to Gd(-) MS patients (p<0.05, p<0.05). The frequency of cells co-expressing CD6 with CCR1 and CCR5 was low in PB T lymphocytes and high in CSF (p<0.05, p<0.05). These results suggest that Gd(+) correlates with increased expression of CD6 and decreased expression of chemokine receptors on PB T lymphocytes. Co-expression of CD6 with CCR1 and CCR5 predisposes cells for transmigration into CSF.
Insights
Gadolinium-enhancing lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS) correlate with increased CD6 molecule expression and decreased chemokine receptors on peripheral blood T lymphocytes, suggesting a role in disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Immunogenetics
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system.
- Gadolinium-enhancing (Gd(+)) lesions on MRI indicate active inflammation in MS.
- The role of specific immune cell markers in MS lesion activity requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between Gd(+) lesions in MS patients and the expression of CD6 molecules and chemokine receptors (CCR1, CCR2, CCR3, CCR5) on immune cells.
- To assess differences in marker expression between MS patients with and without active Gd(+) lesions.
Main Methods:
- Studied 20 relapsing-remitting MS patients (10 with Gd(+) lesions, 10 without).
- Measured mRNA and surface expression of CD6 and chemokine receptors using immunostaining and flow cytometry in peripheral blood (PB) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Main Results:
- Increased CD6 mRNA and surface expression in PB T lymphocytes of Gd(+) MS patients compared to Gd(-) patients (p<0.01; p<0.05).
- CD6 mRNA levels correlated positively with the number and size of Gd(+) lesions (r=0.67, r=0.65).
- Reduced CCR1, CCR2, and CCR3 expression in PB cells of Gd(+) MS patients (p<0.05).
- Higher co-expression of CD6 with CCR1 and CCR5 in CSF compared to PB T lymphocytes (p<0.05).
Conclusions:
- Gd(+) lesions in MS are associated with elevated CD6 expression and diminished chemokine receptor expression on peripheral blood T lymphocytes.
- Co-expression of CD6 with CCR1 and CCR5 may facilitate immune cell transmigration into the CSF, contributing to CNS inflammation in MS.
