Measles- or mumps virus-infected cells forming rosettes with lymphocytes from patients with multiple sclerosis

L. H. Tobler, K. P. Johnson and G. Case Buehring

Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) were studied to determine the frequency at which they formed rosettes with target cells persistently infected with measles or mumps virus. Results were compared with (1) the rosette-forming capability of lymphocytes from age- and sex-matched normal control subjects and (2) the rosette-forming capability of lymphocytes with uninfected target cells from patients with MS. Comparison of mean measles antibody titers in patients with MS was significantly higher than in control subjects. A similar comparison for mumps antibodies showed a significant differences. There was no significant difference between patients and control subjects in the frequency of lymphocytes that formed rosettes, no matter which target cell was used. When data obtained using target cells infected with measles were analyzed according to sex or clinical classification, no significant difference was observed. Lymphocytes from patients or control subjects formed significantly more rosettes when reacted with virus-infected rather than uninfected target cells. These data suggest that PBL rosette formation with measles- or mumps-infected cells may represent nonspecific adherence rather than specific adherence.