Increased Percentage of CD8CD28 Regulatory T Cells With Fingolimod Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis.

Background And Objectives: Fingolimod, an oral therapy for MS, decreases expression of membrane S1P1 receptors on CD4 memory cells, causing their retention and deactivation in lymph nodes. We determined fingolimod effects on the number and proportion of potentially CNS-damaging CD8CD28 cytolytic T lymphocyte cells (CTLs) and on MS-depleted and dysfunctional CD8CD28 anti-inflammatory suppressor/regulatory T cells (Treg) and on CD8 T-cell expression of the CD69 activation/lymph node retention protein in MS.

Methods: CD8, CD28, CD4, and CD69 expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells was measured with flow cytometry.