Determination of activated lymphocytes in peripheral blood of patients with multiple sclerosis.

Using monoclonal antibodies Ta1 and CD25 (interleukin-2 receptor: I-2R) and flow cytometry, the levels of activated lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of 50 patients with multiple sclerosis (16 relapsing inactive; 14 relapsing active; 20 chronic progressive) and 20 normal subjects were investigated. No significant differences were observed in the percentage or absolute numbers of Ta1 and IL-2R reactive lymphocytes between the normal and multiple sclerosis patient groups, irrespective of disease activity. Monitoring peripheral blood lymphocytes with respect to these markers would appear to have little value in the management of multiple sclerosis.