Multiple sclerosis: increased expression of interleukin-2 receptors on lymphocytes.

The percentage of interleukin-2-receptor-positive peripheral blood lymphocytes in MS patients was significantly higher in acute relapse than in remission or in controls. After stimulation by phytohemagglutinin, the expression of interleukin-2 receptor on peripheral blood lymphocytes of MS patients was within the range of healthy controls, implying no general impairment of receptor expression. These results confirm other evidence that there is a small population of activated T lymphocytes in acute relapse of MS.