Immunoregulatory and activated T cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.

Circulatory immune complexes are increased in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and an autoimmune mechanism has been inferred. Autoimmune diseases may have changes in the percentages of immunoregulatory T cells and increased activated T cells (Ia+ T) in peripheral blood. The latter are also increased with active viral and bacterial infection and immunization. We found no significant changes of the percentages of immunoregulatory T cells and no relation of the individual values to the clinical state. Ia+ T cells were not increased over the normal range but within that range there was significant negative correlation with the ALS clinical score.