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

J Neuroimmunol. 2001 Aug 30;118(2):286-94. doi: 10.1016/s0165-5728(01)00346-0.

Abstract

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-gamma (IFN-gamma) 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.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Cell Count
  • Disease Progression
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-4 / biosynthesis
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Multiple Sclerosis / diagnosis*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Th1 Cells / cytology*
  • Th1 Cells / metabolism
  • Th2 Cells / cytology*
  • Th2 Cells / metabolism

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Interleukin-4
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Methylprednisolone