CD4+ memory T cells with high CD26 surface expression are enriched for Th1 markers and correlate with clinical severity of multiple sclerosis

An aberrant immune activation is believed to be important in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Expression of CD4+ T lymphocyte surface molecules indicative of immune activation and effector functions has been correlated with disease severity and activity. CD4+ CD45R0+ CD26high memory T lymphocytes contained the high levels of markers of Th1, activation, and effector functions and cell counts of this subset correlated with MS disease severity. This subset had lower expression of PD-1, CCR4, and L-selectin in MS than in controls. These changes were only partially normalised by treatment with interferon-β. We point to this subset as a putative target for immunological monitoring of MS disease activity and of treatment efficacy.