Activated T lymphocytes in patients with multiple sclerosis in clinical remission

Activation state and proliferation of lymphocytes of 6 patients with definite multiple sclerosis in clinical remission were studied. Lymphocytes carrying MHC class II coded Ia antigen, glycoprotein gp 40/80 and interleukin-2 receptor were significantly higher in patients with MS in remission than in normal healthy controls. The entrance of T cells into the G1 and S phase of the cell cycle was studied using [3H]thymidine autoradiography in combination with immunocytochemistry (cell markers). The proportion of T cells in the S phase of the cell cycle in the peripheral blood was similar in the MS patient and in the control group.