Spontaneous and mitogen-induced activity of lymphocytes of different density in multiple sclerosis

Some immunological parameters of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), of patients with other neurological diseases and of healthy volunteers were compared. No significant differences between these groups of persons were found in the number of leukocytes, granulocytes or lymphocytes per milliliter of peripheral blood. A density distribution profile of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells revealed a relatively increased number of low density cells (less than or greater than 1.069 g/cm3) and a relatively decreased number of cells with higher density (1.069-1.073 g/cm3) in MS patients as compared to healthy controls. The spontaneous activity and the pokeweed mitogen-induced activity of the different cell subfractions, separated according to density, appeared to be normal in MS patients. The results suggest a continuous stimulation of the immune system of MS patients resulting in a shift of cells towards lower density. This change was not related to disease duration or severity.