Clinical Report: Correlation of Peripheral Blood T Cell Subtypes with Clinical Disability Levels in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Overview

This study investigates the relationship between peripheral blood T cell subsets and clinical disability in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. A negative correlation was found between the CD4+/CD8+ ratio and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores.

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic immune-mediated disorder that leads to significant disability. Understanding the relationship between immune cell profiles and clinical outcomes is crucial for improving disease management. This study aims to clarify the association between T cell subsets and disability levels in MS patients.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• Mean EDSS score of the study cohort was 3.20 ± 1.50.
• Mean CD4+/CD8+ ratio was 2.76 ± 1.08.
• CD4+/CD8+ ratio correlated negatively with EDSS scores (r = −0.345, p = 0.016).
• Stratified analysis showed a progressive decline in CD4+/CD8+ ratio across disability groups (p = 0.050).
• In a covariate-adjusted model, the association between CD4+/CD8+ ratio and EDSS was attenuated (β = −0.350, p = 0.084).
• Exploratory analyses suggested that disease-modifying therapy (DMT) exposure may influence the association.

Clinical Implications

The findings indicate a negative association between the CD4+/CD8+ ratio and clinical disability in MS.

Conclusion

The study highlights a negative association between CD4+/CD8+ ratio and clinical disability in MS.

Related Resources & Content

1. Acta Neuropathologica, 2017 -- Characterization of T Cell Phenotypes and Functions in White Matter Lesions of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
2. Brain, 2025 -- Expanded TCR repertoire targeting EBV in multiple sclerosis: implications for disease specificity and therapeutic strategies
3. Frontiers in Immunology, 2026 -- Multiple sclerosis patients under treatment with interferon β1-a or ocrelizumab exhibit different T and B cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccine
4. NICE, 2026 -- Overview | Multiple sclerosis in adults: management
5. AAN, 2024 -- Practice Guideline Recommendations: Disease-modifying Therapies for Adults with Multiple Sclerosis
6. Frontiers in Immunology — Relative increase of memory B-cell subsets under s.c. B-cell-depleting therapies in multiple sclerosis
7. Correlation Between Peripheral Blood Immune Cell Distribution and Disease Severity and Prognosis in Multiple Sclerosis Patients
8. Baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale Score and CD8+ T Cell Levels as Risk Factors for Disability Progression in Multiple Sclerosis
9. Overview | Multiple sclerosis in adults: management | Guidance | NICE
10. Practice Guideline Recommendations: Disease-modifying Therapies for Adults with Multiple Sclerosis
11. Ongoing Guidelines - ean.org
12. Antigen specificity of clonally enriched CD8+ T cells in multiple sclerosis | Nature Immunology
13. Ozanimod: A Review in Relapsing Forms of Multiple Sclerosis - PubMed
14. The Comparative Effectiveness and Tolerability of Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor Modulators in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials - PubMed
15. In vivo Effects of Disease-modifying Therapies on Immunological Subsets in Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis - PubMed