Cyclosporin A inhibits ganglioside-stimulated lymphocyte rosette formation in multiple sclerosis

Brain gangliosides have been found to stimulate active lymphocyte rosette formation in patients with multiple sclerosis during an active phase of the illness. On antigenic stimulation, a soluble factor is released which enhances active rosette formation. These reactions do not occur in multiple sclerosis patients during remission, in other neurological diseases or in controls that we have tested. More than one antigen may act on sensitized lymphocytes. The ganglioside-mediated response of lymphocytes from multiple sclerosis patients is blocked in vitro by Cyclosporin A.