Lymphocyte responsiveness to oligodendrocytes in multiple sclerosis

Lymphocyte responsiveness to oligodendrocytes has been examined with a modification of the antigen-reactive early T cell test in a total of 206 blood samples [104 multiple sclerosis (MS); 62 other neurological diseases (OND); 14 non-neurologic diseases; and 26 normals]. Oligodendrocyte reactivity was detectable more frequently in MS (49%) than in OND (23%) and normals (8%) but was absent from patients with non-neurologic diseases. Percentages of lymphocytes binding oligodendrocyte antigens were determined by direct and indirect immunofluorescence and immunocyto-adherence. Comparable results were obtained from all 3 systems. Percentages of oligodendrocyte antigen-binding lymphocytes were higher in MS than in OND and normals. With the present battery of techniques, lymphocyte responsiveness to oligodendrocytes has been shown to be more common in MS but since it is also found among OND, it is not MS-specific and most likely represents an epiphenomenon associated with white matter destruction.