The differential expression of CD4- CD8- double negative T lymphocytes in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders and multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Objective To compare the levels of CD4-CD8- double negative T lymphocytes（DNT） in the peripheral blood of patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs) and multiple sclerosis (MS) in the acute phase. Methods From January 2017 to December 2019, a total of 53 patients with NMOSDs, 20 patients with MS and 27 normal controls were included. Peripheral blood DNT cells of the patients in 3 groups were measured by flow cytometry. Results The differences of DNT cells in the peripheral blood in 3 groups were statistically significant (F=4.362, P=0.015). Amongthem,thenumber of DNT cells in the NMOSDs group was higher than that in the control group (t=2.415, P=0.023) and the MS group (t=2.415, P=0.018), while the number of DNT cells in the MS group and the control group was not statistically different (t=0.149, P=0.881). Conclusions The number of DNT cellsin the peripheral blood of patients with NMOSDs in the acute phase is higher than that in patients with MS and normal controls. It is speculated that DNT cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of NMOSDs. DOI：10.3969/j.issn.1672⁃6731.2020.09.006

Keywords

• neuromyelitis optica
• multiple sclerosis
• t⁃lymphocyte subsets
• flow cytometry