Gamma/delta T cell receptor genes rearrangement in the blood and brain of multiple sclerosis patients. A preliminary study.

The characterization of TCR gamma/delta gene diversity in peripheral blood lymphocytes and in cerebral white matter of MS patients was performed. In overwhelming majority of MS cases the V delta-J delta junctional repertoire was restricted as evidenced by oligoclonal rearrangements concerning V delta 1-J delta 1, V delta 2-J delta 1, V delta 3-J delta 1, V delta 5-J delta 1. The obtained results indicate, that the restricted pattern of TCR gene rearrangement may suggest oligoclonal expansion of certain clones of gamma/delta T cells that may be involved in recognition of putative autoantigen, significant in the etiopathogenesis of MS. The very striking positive correlation between monoclonal pattern of V delta-J delta rearrangement in peripheral blood and cerebral white matter of MS patients indicate that the gamma/delta T lymphocytes play significant role in MS pathogenesis.