Programmed cell death of myelin basic protein-specific T lymphocytes is reduced in patients with acute multiple sclerosis

• Published in: Journal of neuroimmunology Vol. 166; no. 1; pp. 173 - 179
• Main Authors: Saresella, Marina, Marventano, Ivana, Speciale, Livianna, Ruzzante, Stefania, Trabattoni, Daria, Silvia Della Bella, Filippi, Massimo, Fasano, Francesca, Cavarretta, Rosella, Caputo, Domenico, Clerici, Mario, Ferrante, Pasquale
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.09.2005
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Adult; Apoptosis; Biomarkers - metabolism; Case-Control Studies; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - drug effects; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - metabolism; fas Receptor - metabolism; Female; Humans; Immunology; Male; Middle Aged; Multiple sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis - metabolism; Multiple Sclerosis - pathology; Multiple Sclerosis - physiopathology; Myelin basic protein; Myelin Basic Protein - metabolism; Myelin Basic Protein - pharmacology; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - metabolism; T lymphocyte; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate - pharmacology; Multiple sclerosis; Immunology; T lymphocyte; Myelin basic protein; Apoptosis
• ISSN: 0165-5728; 1872-8421
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2005.05.010

We investigated the apoptosis of myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific T lymphocytes in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with acute (AMS) or stable (SMS) MS by evaluating the expression of apoptosis markers on peripheral cells. Cells of healthy controls (HC) were evaluated as well. Results showed that mitogen-stimulated apoptosis was comparable among patients and controls, whereas MBP-stimulated CD4+ and CD8+ 7-AAD+ and 7-AAD+ Fas+ cell (apoptotic cells) were significantly reduced in AMS patients. A reduction of the apoptotic rate of myelin-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes could be involved in the immune-mediated destruction of the myelin sheath seen in AMS patients.