Tumor necrosis factor-alpha binding by peripheral blood lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear neutrophils in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in multiple sclerosis (MS) is responsible for peripheral blood leukocyte priming. The aim of this study was to evaluate fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled TNF binding ability by peripheral blood lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) of MS patients, measured using flow cytometry (FACScan). Three groups of MS patients (total 34) were examined. Higher serum levels of TNF soluble receptors sp55 and sp75 were found in the MS patients during MS acute exacerbation (n = 10) and in chronic progressive forms (n = 11) as compared to MS remission (n = 13) and other neurological diseases (n = 14). Peripheral blood lymphocytes and PMNs of patients with acute exacerbation of MS bound TNF-FITC more effectively (p <0.01) as compared with the chronic progressive forms of MS, MS remission and other neurological diseases. The obtained results suggest a greater enhancement of TNF activity during MS acute exacerbation.