[Cytotoxic antibodies in multiple sclerosis].

Serum cold cytotoxic activities against allocells: total lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and monocytes were detected in 12 of 21 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients at 15 degrees C using a microcytotoxicity technique. Cytotoxic activity was found at 37 degrees C in certain MS patients. This activity was weak or absent in non MS patients and in healthy controls. Tests with autocells were positive in 6 MS patients. Cerebrospinal fluid cytotoxic activity was found in MS as well as in non-MS diseases; at 37 degrees C CSF produced lysis of monocytes in the absence of complement. No correlation was found between cytotoxic activity and parameters of clinical disease. Our results suggest that there may be a wide variety of cytotoxic antibodies in MS. Their significance is unknown; it may be that they have an effect on certain lymphocyte subsets as it has been suggested in other diseases.