MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS - CIRCULATING ANTIGEN-REACTIVE LYMPHOCYTES

Circulating lymphocyte populations were examined in 85 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), 26 of whom showed exacerbations; 48 patients with other neurological diseases (OND); 14 patients suffering from psychiatric disorders; and 2 normal subjects. The study involved the assay of early (active, high‐affinity rosetting) T‐cells, myelin basic protein (MBP)‐reactive early T‐cells, late (total, 24‐hour rosetting) T‐cells, and B‐cells. Early T‐cells levels were significantly lower in MS (p < 0.01) than in OND subjects. Exacerbations in MS were usually accompanied by further decreases in early T‐cells. The lower levels of early T‐cells in MS and their fluctuations are believed to reflect disease activity. MBP‐reactive early T‐cells were more frequently increased in MS (75% of cases) than OND (50%), and while this might be indicative of increased sensitization against myelin antigens, it was found not to be an MS‐specific phenomenon. Copyright © 1979 American Neurological Association