IMMUNE RESPONSE OF LYMPHOCYTES FROM PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS TO PHYTOHEMAGGLUTININ, BASIC PROTEIN OF MYELIN AND MEASLES ANTIGENS

Abstract

The effect of phytohemagglutinin (PHA), basic protein (BP) and various measles antigens was studied in vitro on “whole blood cultures” from MS patients and controls. Lymphocytes from both MS patients and controls did not transform in vitro in the presence of basic protein and measles antigens. Quantitative studies with a liquid scintillation technique after incorporation of tritiated thymidine showed impaired lymphocyte transformation with PHA in 9 out of 26 MS patients. There was a correlation between duration of the disease and transformation of lymphocytes from MS patients.