Lymphocyte subpopulations in the cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood in multiple sclerosis.

Subpopulations of lymphocytes in the CSF and peripheral blood were studied in 30 patients with MS, 16 with other neurological diseases (OND) and 15 control subjects without any neurological abnormalities. In patients with relapse of MS, the absolute numbers of total lymphocytes, alpha-naphthyl acid esterase (ANAE) positive, E-rosette forming and bearing the "avid" FcIgG receptor lymphocytes were significantly increased in the CSF as compared with stable or slowly progressive MS patients, patients with other OND and control subjects. The relative number of ANAE-positive cells was higher, and "avid"FcIgG receptor bearing cells lower in the CSF of all patients with MS than in the two other groups. The significance of the finding is unclear. The imbalance between lymphocyte subpopulations may reflect a primary defect in MS, or may be secondary, due to the presence of circulating immune complexes. In peripheral blood no substantial differences in lymphocyte behavior were observed between MS patients and other groups.