Expression of adhesion molecules on peripheral lymphocytes predicts future lesion development in MS.

The expression of adhesion molecules (alpha4beta1-integrin, LFA-1, ICAM-1) on T cells, measured by flow cytometry, was compared in different subtypes of multiple sclerosis (MS) and related to future lesion development as seen as delta T1 and T2 lesion load per year on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). LFA-1 and alpha4beta1-integrin showed higher expression on CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes in the secondary progressive compared to the relapsing-remitting (CD4: p<0.01, p=ns, p<0.

Cytokine producing CD8+ T cells are correlated to MRI features of tissue destruction in MS.

Specific T-cell subsets and their ability to produce cytokines have been involved in concepts of multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis. Evidence to link cytokine producing T-cell subsets to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of tissue destruction, however, is limited. Cytokine flow cytometry was performed in 124 patients with different subtypes of MS.

Cisplatin triggers apoptotic or nonapoptotic cell death in Fanconi anemia lymphoblasts in a concentration-dependent manner.

Cells derived from Fanconi anemia (FA) patients are hypersensitive for cross-linking agents, such as cisplatin, that are potent inducers of programmed cell death (PCD). Here, we studied cisplatin hypersensitivity in FA in relation to the mechanism of PCD in lymphoblastoid cells representing FA groups A and C. In FA cells, a low concentration of cisplatin caused chromatin condensation, phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization, and the expression of an 18-kDa variant of Bax, all indicators of apoptotic cell death, and the latter suggesting the involvement of a mitochondrial route.

Chemokine receptor expression on T cells is related to new lesion development in multiple sclerosis.

The expression of chemokine receptors CCR5 and CXCR3 on CD4 and CD8 positive T cells in blood, measured by flow cytometry, was studied in 124 patients with different clinical subtypes of multiple sclerosis (MS) and 22 healthy controls. In a subgroup of patients (n=69) from whom MRI was available, chemokine receptor expression was correlated to the annualised changes in T1 and T2 lesion load. It was found that CCR5 and CXCR3 on both cell types might have impact on annualised increase in T2 lesion load, but not on T1 lesion load.