Lymphocyte adherence in multiple sclerosis: role of the cytoskeleton and prostaglandin E.

Human peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) form significantly greater numbers of rosettes with virus infected cells than healthy controls. Because increased lymphocyte adherence in MS may be important to the disease process, we have investigated the mechanisms governing lymphocyte adherence in healthy control volunteers. We have previously shown that prostaglandins E1, E2 (PGE2), and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (db cAMP) and colchicine increase control lymphocyte adherence in healthy control volunteers. Colchicine treatment enhances PGE synthesis in control cells. We now report that colchicine (10(-5) + 10(-7) M) treatment of mononuclear cells does not enhance PGE synthesis in cells from patients with multiple sclerosis. Colchicine treatment did not affect MS lymphocyte adherence.