CD4+CD25 high regulatory T-cells of patients with Multiple Sclerosis have a reduced suppressive effect on proliferation and cytokine secretion of responder T-cells

Background: Myelin specific autoreactive T-lymphocytes are present in the peripheral T cell repertoire in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) as well as in healthy individuals. A fundamental dysregulation of the immune system seems to exist in MS patients, the exact mechansims underlying this occurrence are as yet undefined. A subset of T-lymphocytes, CD4+CD25high regulatory T cells (Treg), are able to suppress autoimmune responses and protect rodents from organ-specific autoimmune disease. Therefore a dysfunction of Treg and consecutively the failure to maintain peripheral immune tolerance could be an importa…