Abstract
The proliferative response to measles virus in normal individuals is low compared with the response to mumps virus. This is probably due to a low precursor frequency of OKT4+, IL 2-secreting helper cells. The presence of a measles high-responder state has previously been identified in some twin individuals with multiple sclerosis. Further characterization of the measles response in these high-responder individuals has demonstrated that the enhanced measles responses are due to a greater response by OKT4+ cells, which secrete higher levels of IL 2; this contrasting with the low levels of IL 2 secretion and OKT4+ cell proliferation seen in the unaffected twins. No evidence for suppression by either accessory or T cells, which would account for the quantitative differences between the high responders with multiple sclerosis and their unaffected low-responder twin siblings, was detected. The results indicate that a clonally expanded poplulation of measles-specific responder cells is responsible for the high-responder state in these twins with multiple sclerosis. The mechanism producing this state may have relevance to possible immunoregulatory abnormalities producing autoimmunity in multiple sclerosis.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 546-550 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Immunology |
Volume | 137 |
Issue number | 2 |
State | Published - 1986 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology