Analysis of CD4 super(+)CD8 super(+) double-positive T cells in blood, cerebrospinal fluid and multiple sclerosis lesions

• Published in: Clinical and experimental immunology 2014-08, Vol.177 (2), p.404-411
• Main Authors: Waschbisch, A, Sammet, L, Schroder, S, Lee, D-H, Barrantes-Freer, A, Stadelmann, C, Linker, R A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0009-9104; 1365-2249
• DOI: 10.1111/cei.12345

T cells with a CD4 super(+) CD8 super(+) double-positive (DP) phenotype are present in small numbers in the peripheral blood of healthy humans and may have anti-viral capacities. Here we investigate numbers and function of DP T cells in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), either treatment-naive or under therapy with natalizumab. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that frequencies of circulating DP T cells in treatment-naive and natalizumab-treated MS patients are comparable to healthy controls. These cells have a memory phenotype with cytotoxic potential, express high levels of CD49d and are similarly functional in treatment-naive as well as natalizumab-treated MS patients. DP T cells were enriched in the cerebrospinal fluid, but do not invade acutely inflamed MS lesions. In conclusion, DP T cells are functional in MS and may play a role in the immune surveillance of the central nervous system, but do not display functional impairment under natalizumab therapy.