Myelin basic protein-responsive blood T lymphocytes in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Previous studies from our laboratory showed the development of circulating T lymphocytes sensitized to myelin basic protein (MBP) in guinea pigs challenged with MBP. Also, lymphocytes sensitized to MBP were found in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). In this report, we describe the kinetics of MBP-sensitized lymphocytes in a longitudinal study (140-316 days) of seven MS patients using the MBP-stimulated active rosette-forming T cell assay (MBP-ARFC). Expressed as the ratio of MBP-ARFC over ARFC (early and 37 degrees C stable rosette-forming T lymphocytes without added antigen), the results show a considerable degree of variation in the levels of MBP-ARFC. Although the levels of ARFC during the study period were relatively unchanged for each patient, increases in the MBP-ARFC/ARFC ratios were associated with the development of neurological symptoms of disease. The results of this study demonstrate the development of T-cell-mediated immunity to MBP in patients with MS. Detection of MBP-sensitive cells was possible during the course of the disease. The level of sensitivity was influenced by the clinical status, degree of neurological deficit, and particular treatment course.