Abstract
Cyclosporine A (CsA) has been used in putative autoimmune diseases after sensitization to unknown antigens. We have previously shown that CsA prevented continued activation of T-cells in chronic progressive multiple sclerosis (CPMS) patients. The current study was undertaken to determine whether CsA, CsA and prednisone (CsA + P) could suppress immune responses to a common recall antigen. Serum antibody levels were higher in all CPMS patients than age-matched normal controls. However, rubella antibody titers in the CsA or CsA + P groups were no different from a placebo-treated CPMS patient group. The lymphocyte responses to inactivated rubella virus of CsA and CsA + P-treated CPMS patients were lower than placebo and control but not statistically different. Therapy with bot CSA and CSA + P was associated with significantly lower panel mixed leukocyte responses and Ta1 expression than in the placebo-treated group; CD3, CD4, CD8 antigen expression and active rosette formation by T-cells were similar for the three CPMS groups. These results suggest that while CsA exerts measurable effects on non-specific indicators of cellular immunity in CPMS patients, it may not be as effective in suppressing pre-existent specific immune responses.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 143-148 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Neuroimmunology |
Volume | 22 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 1989 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Ciclosporin A
- Immunity
- Multiple sclerosis
- Rubella virus
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology
- Neurology
- Clinical Neurology