[The natural cytotoxicity system in patients with multiple sclerosis: clinico-immunological parallels]

The cytotoxic activity of natural killer (NK) cells against target cells K-562 was studied in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). NK activity was increased in patients with remitting course of the disease, its duration of 6 to 10 years and 1 to 3 degree of neurologic defect. The immunocorrective therapy reduced the NK activity in some patients of any group. The authors discuss the possible role of natural cytotoxic system in the pathogenesis of autoimmunization in MS, and the value of NK population assessment for singling out a group of patients that would beneficially respond to immunocorrective therapy.