Cell-mediated immunity in multiple sclerosis.

The blastogenic response of MS lymphocytes to a group of paramyxovirus antigens and to phytohemagglutinin was investigated. Comparative studies were performed in a selected group of patients before and after transfer factor therapy. There was no blastogenic response of lymphocytes to the paramyxovirus antigens tested in MS patients and normal controls, as measured by the incorporation of 14C thymidine.

Proteolytic cleavage of subunits of the nucleocapsid of the paramyxovirus simian virus 5.

The protein subunits of the nucleocapsid of the parainfluenza virus simian virus 5 isolated from infected cells after dispersion with trypsin, chymotrypsin, or ficin are cleaved proteolytically. The molecular weights of the subunits which result from cleavage depend on the enzyme used, but are around 43,000, compared to the native subunit of 61,000. In most instances cleavage of the subunit appears to be due to the protease used to disperse the cell, and follows cell disruption.