Figure 3

Apoptotic epitope-specific CD8 ⁺ T cells are accumulated in cerebrospinal fluid and correlate with disease disability. (A) Representative flow cytometry analyses of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-derived mononuclear cells from a multiple sclerosis (MS) patient. Cells were double-stained with a mAb to CD8 and dextramers expressing the indicated non-muscle myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9) peptides. Dot plot analyses show the percentage of CD8⁺pentamer⁺ cells. The percentage of cells is indicated in the appropriate quadrant. (B) Percentages of peripheral blood (PB)- or CSF-derived CD8⁺dextramer⁺ cells isolated from seven HLA-A2⁺ MS patients. Statistical analysis was performed with the Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank test. (C) Correlation between percentages of CSF-derived CD8⁺dextramer⁺ cells and disability, calculated on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) (linear regression analysis).