CD4 T cell activation and disease activity at onset of multiple sclerosis

• Published in: Journal of neuroimmunology 2004-04, Vol.149 (1), p.202-209
• Main Authors: Jensen, J, Langkilde, A.R, Fenst, C, Nicolaisen, M.S, Roed, H.G, Christiansen, M, Sellebjerg, F
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Antigens, Differentiation - blood; Antigens, Differentiation - cerebrospinal fluid; CD4 T cells; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 - blood; Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 - cerebrospinal fluid; Disability Evaluation; Female; Flow Cytometry - methods; Humans; Immunoglobulin G - blood; Immunoglobulin G - cerebrospinal fluid; Lymphocyte Activation - immunology; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Male; Middle Aged; Multiple sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis - blood; Multiple Sclerosis - cerebrospinal fluid; Multiple Sclerosis - immunology; Myelin Basic Protein - blood; Myelin Basic Protein - cerebrospinal fluid; Nervous System Diseases - blood; Nervous System Diseases - immunology; Nervous System Diseases - physiopathology; Optic neuritis; Receptors, Interleukin-2 - metabolism; Regulatory T cells; Th1 cells
• ISSN: 0165-5728; 1872-8421
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2003.12.019

We studied CD4 T cell activation in patients with clinically isolated syndromes (CIS) suggesting an initial attack of multiple sclerosis. The percentage of blood CD26+ CD4 T cells was increased in these patients, and correlated with magnetic resonance imaging disease activity and clinical disease severity. In contrast, the percentage of CD25+ CD4 T cells in cerebrospinal fluid correlated negatively with the cerebrospinal fluid concentration of myelin basic protein and the presence of IgG oligoclonal bands. These results suggest that distinct systemic and intrathecal T cell activation states correlate with disease activity and risk of subsequently developing MS in CIS patients.