Leukocyte surface antigens in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Lymphocyte phenotypes have been measured in 20 normal females, 19 normal males, 3 females with acute exacerbations of MS and 21 females and 17 males with chronic progressive MS. Using a FACS IV, lymphocytes were gated by light scattering properties, and fluorescence was analyzed using a log amplifier. No abnormalities were found in the 3 females with acute exacerbations. In male patients the percentage of OKT8 was significantly reduced, the percentage of OKT4 was significantly increased, and the ratio of OKT4/T8 was increased. In females with chronic progressive disease the percentage of OKT8 was not statistically altered, but the percentage of OKT4 and the OKT4/T8 ratio were elevated. Interpretation of these findings requires more extensive study in control populations.