T lymphocyte redistribution between peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid in active multiple sclerosis.

A numerical reduction of total T cells has been evidenced in peripheral blood of patients with active multiple sclerosis. A contemporary raise in T helper/inducer cells was demonstrated in patients' cerebrospinal fluid. A significant reduction in T suppressor/cytotoxic cells could be detected only in patients' cerebrospinal fluid, while this subpopulation resulted to be less affected in patients' circulation. These data differed significantly from controls' values. We conclude that a redistribution of some T cell subpopulation between peripheral blood and central nervous system could account for the immunological derangements observed in active multiple sclerosis.