CD4+CD25- effector T cells from healthy controls and MS patients do not differ in mRNA expression of IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α

Relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is supposed to be an inflammatory, demyelininating T cell mediated autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). A prerequisite for the induction of autoimmunity within the CNS is the priming and activation of self-reactive T cell clones in the periphery (blood, secondary lymphatic organs). One target for T cell activation within the T cell pool are resting, unactivated CD4+ T helper cells. Therefore we analyzed freshly isolated peripheral blood CD4+CD25- T effector cells (Teff) for mRNA expression profiles of T cell activation cytokines interferon gamma (I…