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Characterization of active T cells in CSF and blood in multiple sclerosis patients and controls
Abstract:
In thirty-two patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), significantly lower percentages of active T cells--that is, lymphocytes which have been incubated at 37 degrees C for 1 h before 5 min rosetting with sheep erythrocytes--were found in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) than in blood, whereas the reverse was observed in twenty of twenty-two patients with other neurological diseases (OND). No significant difference was found between percentages of active T cells in blood in MS, OND, and healthy controls. Lymphocytes from MS CSF are extensively temperature-labile when examined under different test conditions; without incubation at 37 degrees C for 1 h, active T cell percentages in CSF of both patients with MS and OND were, in fact, higher than in peripheral blood. The mitogen response patterns of enriched active T cells and unseparated lymphocytes from peripheral blood did not discriminate between patients with MS and healthy controls. Although active T cell values have been shown to correlate with cell-mediated immunocompetence, they have not yet been defined functionally. One of the explanations for the present findings could be that lymphocytes themselves in MS patients' CSF are at least partly virus-infected.
Insights
Active T cells in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are lower in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients compared to blood. This finding may suggest virus-infected lymphocytes in MS CSF.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Cellular Immunology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system.
- T cells play a crucial role in immune responses, and their function in MS is of significant interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the percentages of active T cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and peripheral blood of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
- To compare these findings with patients suffering from other neurological diseases (OND) and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Active T cells were identified by rosetting with sheep erythrocytes after incubation at 37 degrees C.
- Percentages of active T cells were measured in CSF and blood samples.
- Lymphocyte temperature-lability was assessed under varying test conditions.
- Mitogen response patterns were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Significantly lower percentages of active T cells were found in the CSF compared to blood in MS patients.
- The reverse was observed in most OND patients.
- Lymphocytes from MS CSF exhibited significant temperature-lability.
- No significant differences in active T cell percentages in blood were observed between MS, OND, and healthy controls.
Conclusions:
- The observed differences in active T cell percentages between CSF and blood in MS patients suggest unique immunological conditions within the central nervous system.
- The temperature-lability of lymphocytes from MS CSF indicates altered cellular properties.
- Virus infection of lymphocytes in MS CSF is a potential explanation for these findings.