THE CHARACTER OF SYSTEMIC CHANGES IN ADAPTIVE AND INNATE IMMUNE RESPONSE IN PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

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Introduction. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is currently considered as one of the classic examples of clinical manifestation of disorders of the nervous and immune system interaction. Despite numerous studies, the choice of immunological markers of MS prognosis remains unresolved [1, 2]. The aim of the study was to analyze systemic reactions of adaptive and innate immunity factors in MS patients in acute and clinical remission. Materials and methods. 85 people with recurrent and remitting course of MS have been examined. The diagnosis was made on the basis of MC Donald criteria [3]. 54 patients were examined during the exacerbation of the disease, 31 - in the stage of persistent clinical remission. Phenotypic analysis of lymphocytes was performed on “FC 500” cytofluorometer. Cytolytic activity of NK was assessed by the ability to lyse antigen mediated Fcγr type III and was expressed by the indicator of absolute cytotoxic activity (CTA). Serum levels of TNF-α, IL-4, IFN-γ were determined by IFA. The control group consisted of 10 blood donors. Mathematical data processing was performed using the program Statistica 7.0. Results and discussion. The results of evaluation of the immune system parameters in patients with MS in the acute stage indicate an increase in the absolute number of T-lymphocytes and T-cells expressing markers of early (CD25) and late (HLA DR) activation with an increase of stimulation index value of RBTL on T-mitogen. CD4+-subpopulation is characterized by a decrease in the circulating proportion of CD4+ CD25+Foxp3+-Treg, with the prevalence of Th1-immune processes, which reflect an increase in the ratio of Th1/Th2 (sp) and Th1/Th2(st). Innate immunity link characterizes the increase in metabolic activity of phagocytic cells, activation of maturation of NK and their cytolytic activity, increased expression of Toll-like receptors on monocytes. Changes in the serum cytokine spectrum are manifested by an increase in the content of TNF-α and a change in the ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 to the activation of cell-mediated processes (Table 1). Remission of MS is associated with a decrease in the absolute number of mature CD3+-cells with increased expression of CD25 R. Proliferation of T-lymphosytes exceeds the control values. The amount of Treg is within the control, as well as the number of monocytes expressing 4 and 9 TLR, the serum content of TNF-α. At the same time, serum IFN-γ level and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio exceeds the control parameters. In the conditions of remission of MS, a decrease in the number of NK was revealed, but their functional activity, as well as spontaneous metabolic activity of neutrophils still remain higher than in healthy ones (Table 1). Conclusion. Thus, the exacerbation of MS is associated with increased activation and proliferative potential of T-lymphocytes, inhibition of immunosuppression, increased effector reactions of innate and adaptive variants of the immune response. In remission, the readiness to perceive activation stimuli and proliferative ability of T-cells, the effector activity of the cellular link of the innate immunity are not completely restored and remain elevated, the cytokine dysregulation of the immune response is not stabilized. These signs are evidence of the role of autoimmunity and autoinflammation in the pathogenesis of the disease, and complete stabilization of indicators of the functioning of the immune system lack in remission indicates the need for autoimmune process correction and beyond its active clinical manifestation.

About the authors

I I Andreeva

Rostov State Medical University, Rostov-on-Don

L P Sizyakina

Rostov State Medical University, Rostov-on-Don

Z A Goncharova

Rostov State Medical University, Rostov-on-Don

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