Cell-mediated cytotoxicity by peripheral blood lymphocytes against basic protein of myelin, encephalitogenic peptide, cerebrosides and gangliosides in multiple sclerosis.

In studies on 50 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), all cases in an active stage of the disease, regardless of whether the course was relapsing or chronic progressive, and not dependent on the severity of the disease, it was possible to demonstrate a high cytotoxicity of the T-lymphocytes against the basic protein of myelin (MBP), encephalitogenic peptide, cerebrosides and gangliosides. During an inactive stage of the disease the cytotoxicity was much less and values could be reached which also occur in patients with other organic neurological diseases (OND). Similarly, in the individual case a close correlation of the degree of cytotoxicity to the course of MS was recognizable. It seemed that a cytotoxicity above 20% against the encephalitogenic peptide is specific for MS, since it could not be confirmed in 20 healthy persons and 50 patients with OND. A specificity of cytotoxicity against cerebrosides and gangliosides as well as for MBP does not exist in MS. Only the cytotoxicity against the encephalitogenic peptide can be considered as the pathogenic factor for the demyelinization process in MS. Immunosuppressive therapy with corticosteroids and azathioprine had no significant influence on the cytotoxicity.