engleski

CD95/Fas expression on peripheral blood T lymphocytes in patients with multiple sclerosis: effect of high-dose methylprednisolone therapy

Recent data indicate that the apoptotic process, mediated by the CD95/Fas cell surface receptor, is impaired in activated lymphocytes of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Using flow cytometric-immunophenotyping, we analyzed the expression of CD95/Fas on peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes (PBL) in 10 MS patients in relapse, and the effect of pulse corticosteroid therapy on the apoptosis of autoreactive lymphocytes. The proportions of CD8+ and CD8+CD95+ T lymphocytes were significantly higher in MS patients in relapse before pulse corticosteroid therapy as compared to same patients after therapy and to healthy individuals. Conversely, the proportions of CD4+ and CD4+CD95+ T cells were significantly lower before than after therapy, but not significantly different from healthy persons. The different expression of CD95/Fas on peripheral blood CD8+ T lymphocytes among patients with RRMS and healthy controls suggests a possible involvement of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of MS. Our results also show that pulse corticosteroid therapy influences on the CD95/Fas expression on PB CD8+ and CD4+ T-lymphocytes in patients with RRMS.

multiple sclerosis; apoptosis; CD95/Fas; T lymphocytes; methylprednisolone therapy; flow cytometric-immunophenotyping

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