Lymphocyte subpopulations, T cell activation antigens, and serum levels of interleukin 2 (IL‐2) and soluble IL‐2 receptor (sIL2R), were studied in relapsing‐remitting MS (RR‐MS) patients before and after high‐dose steroid therapy. Prior to therapy, a minority of patients showed increased HLA‐DR antigen expression, and an increased number of CD16 + and CD19+ cells. Steroid treatment induced a significant increase in HLA‐DR and CD 19 expression, a significant reduction in CD 16 +, CD57 +, and CD8 + CD57 + cells, and a slight, non‐significant, decrease in IL‐2 and sIL‐2R levels and CD25 expression on CD4 + T lymphocytes.

No abstract