Analysis of CD4+CD8+ double‐positive T cells in blood, cerebrospinal fluid and multiple sclerosis lesions. (August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Waschbisch, A.; Sammet, L.; Schröder, S.; Lee, D.‐H.; Barrantes‐Freer, A.; Stadelmann, C.; Linker, R. A.
• Is Part Of: Clinical and experimental immunology. Volume 177:Number 2(2014:Aug.)
• Page Start: 404
• Page End: 411
• Publication Date: 2014-08
• Subjects: Immunopathology -- Periodicals; 616.079
• DOI: 10.1111/cei.12345
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-9104

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Summary</title> <p>T cells with a CD4⁺ CD8⁺ 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.</p> </abstract>