Myelin basic protein-responsive blood T lymphocytes in patients with multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neuroimmunology
• T-cell immunology
• Autoimmune diseases

Background:

• Previous research indicated T lymphocytes sensitized to myelin basic protein (MBP) in guinea pigs and multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
• Circulating MBP-sensitized T cells suggest a role in MS pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the kinetics of MBP-sensitized T lymphocytes in MS patients over time.
• To correlate MBP-sensitized T cell levels with disease activity and neurological status.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study of seven MS patients over 140-316 days.
• Utilized the MBP-stimulated active rosette-forming T cell (MBP-ARFC) assay.
• Measured MBP-ARFC as a ratio against total ARFC (T lymphocytes forming rosettes without antigen).

Main Results:

• Significant variation in MBP-ARFC levels was observed among patients.
• Increases in MBP-ARFC/ARFC ratios correlated with the emergence of neurological symptoms.
• Total ARFC levels remained relatively stable within individual patients.

Conclusions:

• Demonstrates T-cell mediated immunity to MBP in multiple sclerosis patients.
• MBP-sensitive T cells can be detected during the course of MS.
• The level of MBP sensitivity is influenced by clinical status, neurological deficit, and treatment.