Autoantigen-induced self lysis of human myelin basic protein-specific T lymphocytes.
Cytotoxic T cells reactive with myelin basic protein (MBP) may be isolated from most human subjects. Since activated T cells express major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens, we assessed whether MBP-specific, CD4+ T cells could present MBP or synthetic MBP peptides to themselves and whether this provoked self lysis. We examined two MBP-specific cell lines and eight T cell clones recognizing four different MBP epitopes. All T cell populations presented MBP as well as synthetic peptides to themselves eliciting self lysis of the T cell clones. CD4+ T cell populations recognizing another central nervous system (CNS) protein, proteolipid protein (PLP), or the recall antigen, Candida, did not exhibit this antigen-induced, autocytolytic activity. However, activated, PLP-reactive T cells were susceptible to lysis by cytotoxic MBP-specific T cells in the presence of MBP. These results suggest that antigen-induced self lysis of activated human T cells might limit an autoimmune response within a target organ independent of other immunoregulatory mechanisms.
Burns
J
J
V.A. Medical Center, Neurovirology Research, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City.
Littlefield
K
K
Gill
J
J
Trotter
J
J
D001324:Autoantigens / Q000502:physiology*; D001329:Autolysis; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D002999:Clone Cells; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D000939:Epitopes; D006801:Humans; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009185:Myelin Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D018991:Myelin Proteolipid Protein; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors
D001324:Autoantigens; D000939:Epitopes; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein; D009185:Myelin Proteins; D018991:Myelin Proteolipid Protein