Analysis of CD4+ CD8+ double-positive T cells in blood, cerebrospinal fluid and multiple sclerosis lesions. (9th July 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: 2014-07-09
• Subjects: cerebrospinal fluid -- JC virus -- memory T cells -- natalizumab; Immunopathology -- Periodicals; 616.079
• DOI: 10.1111/cei.12345
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-9104

Abstract

Summary: 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.