Cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytes from patients with multiple sclerosis and aseptic meningo-encephalitis respond in mixed lymphocyte culture

Area of Science:

• Neuroimmunology
• Cellular Immunology

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) and aseptic meningo-encephalitis (AM) involve immune responses within the central nervous system.
• Understanding the behavior of lymphocytes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is crucial for elucidating disease mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the proliferative capacity of CSF lymphocytes (CSF-L) and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from MS and AM patients in an allogeneic mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC).
• To compare the MLC reactivity of CSF-L and PBL from MS and AM patients with healthy controls and to assess correlations with clinical and CSF parameters.

Main Methods:

• Allogeneic mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) was used to assess the proliferative responses of CSF-L and PBL.
• Peripheral blood lymphocytes from MS, AM, and healthy subjects served as stimulator cells.
• MLC reactivity was evaluated in 10 of 13 MS patients and all 15 AM patients.

Main Results:

• CSF-L from most MS and all AM patients demonstrated significant MLC reactivity, comparable to PBL.
• No significant differences in MLC patterns were observed in MS patients based on clinical factors, CSF variables, or HLA Dw2 status.
• PBL from MS and AM patients exhibited similar MLC responses to those from healthy individuals.

Conclusions:

• Alloreactive CSF-L in MS and AM patients are capable of clonal expansion, suggesting active immune responses within the CNS.
• The findings indicate that CSF lymphocytes in these conditions are immunologically active and warrant further investigation into their specific characteristics and roles.