Abstract
In the animal model of multiple sclerosis, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, encephalitogenic T cells differ from the non-encephalitogenic ones in their expression of CD49d. The disease-inducing CD49d(high) and not the CD49d(low) cells enter the brain parenchyma. In this context, we characterized CD4(+)(CD45RO(+))CD49d(high) cells in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS) patients. These cells, showing characteristics of activated cells able to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, were found to be increased in peripheral blood during relapses and present in high numbers in cerebrospinal fluid. These results suggest that the CD4(+)CD45RO(+)CD49d(high) subpopulation in RR-MS patients includes autoreactive cells and may be target for immunotherapy.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Acute Disease
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Adult
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Antigens, CD / analysis
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Antigens, CD / immunology*
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CD4 Antigens / analysis
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CD4 Antigens / immunology*
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / chemistry
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
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Cerebrospinal Fluid / cytology
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Cerebrospinal Fluid / immunology
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Female
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Flow Cytometry
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Humans
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Immunophenotyping
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Integrin alpha4
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Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
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Interferon-gamma / immunology
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Leukocyte Common Antigens / analysis
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Leukocyte Common Antigens / immunology*
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Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / etiology*
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Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / immunology*
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology
Substances
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Antigens, CD
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CD4 Antigens
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
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Integrin alpha4
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Interferon-gamma
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Leukocyte Common Antigens