Active MRI lesion appearance in MS patients is preceded by fluctuations in circulating T-helper 1 and 2 cells

Background: The role of T cell subpopulations and their ability to produce immunoregulatory cytokines has been extensively studied in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the exact mechanisms by which T cells and cytokines contribute to disease activity remain to be clarified. Objectives: To analyze th...

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Veröffentlicht in:Journal of neuroimmunology 2001-08, Vol.118 (2), p.286-294
Hauptverfasser: Killestein, Joep, Rep, Martin H.G, Barkhof, Frederik, Roos, Marijke T.L, Adèr, Herman J, van Lier, René A.W, Polman, Chris H
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Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:Background: The role of T cell subpopulations and their ability to produce immunoregulatory cytokines has been extensively studied in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the exact mechanisms by which T cells and cytokines contribute to disease activity remain to be clarified. Objectives: To analyze the longitudinal relation between markers of T cell activation and differentiation and disease activity in MS patients. Methods: During a period of 9 months, clinical disease activity was scored, monthly MRI scans were performed, and blood was taken for immune measurements in a group of 13 untreated clinically definite MS patients. Results: Disease activity, as measured by the occurrence of active MRI lesions, is associated with a significant transient decrease in both T cells producing interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and T cells producing interleukin (IL)-4. Conclusions: Our results suggest that MRI-documented disease activity is associated with a transient decrease in circulating cytokine producing T cells, possibly due to the migration of activated T cells into the CNS.
ISSN:0165-5728
1872-8421
DOI:10.1016/S0165-5728(01)00346-0