HLA-typing and lymphocyte population studies in patients with multiple sclerosis

Compared to a control population, the frequency of HLA-B7 was increased in a group of 46 patients with a chronic progressive form of multiple sclerosis (MS) (RR = 2.9, P = 0.01). Significance of the association was lost after correction for first order error. Results on serotyping for "B-cell DW2" antigen are suggestive of an increased frequency of this antigen in chronic progressive MS patients (RR = 2.9, P = 0.01). The percentage of T-cells (E-rosette forming lymphocytes) in MS patients was lower (mean 46 +/- 17%, n = 34) than in a control group (mean 62 +/- 10%, n = 90). Only 5 of the 40 patients had high B-lymphocyte percentages, whereas no difference in B-cell counts was observed between the total group of patients and the control group. The T- and B-lymphocyte ratio in the MS patients was lower than in the control group. The 7 patients, with the lowest T/B-cell ratio were negative for "B-cell DW2" antigen. In 3 patients, the sum of T plus B-lymphocytes was far lower than 90%. At least 4 patients had in their serum antibodies against autologous lymphocytes as found by immunofluorescence tests. No correlation could be found between these serological and immunological data and clinical data on progression of the disease, the IgG in CSF and improvement after immunosuppressive treatment.