Clonotypic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid T cells during disease exacerbation and remission in a patient with multiple sclerosis

J Neuroimmunol. 2006 Feb;171(1-2):177-83. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2005.10.002. Epub 2005 Nov 18.

Abstract

Migration of autoreactive T cells into the central nervous system (CNS) compartment is thought to be an important step in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). To follow the evolution of T cell repertoire in the CNS of a patient with relapsing-remitting MS, we analyzed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cells obtained during an acute clinical exacerbation, and subsequent disease remission after 13 months of immunomodulatory therapy. T cell receptor CDR3 region length distribution was significantly altered during the relapse, demonstrating the presence of clonally expanded T cells in the CSF. CDR3 spectratyping is a valuable approach to identify disease-associated T cells in the CNS.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Autoantigens
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / genetics
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / immunology
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / pathology*
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / therapy
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Spectrum Analysis
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Autoantigens
  • CDR1 protein, human
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins