Coculture with autologous myotubes of cytotoxic T cells isolated from muscle in inflammatory myopathies.
T-cell lines were expanded from muscle of 10 patients with polymyositis, 5 with inclusion body myositis, 5 with dermatomyositis, and 5 with other muscle diseases. All cell lines uniformly expressed T-cell antigens, but not natural killer cell or B-cell antigens. The proportion of helper (CD4+) and cytotoxic (CD8+) T cells in the expanded lines was variable and showed no correlation with the diagnosis. Sixteen cell lines (6 polymyositis, 4 inclusion body myositis, 5 dermatomyositis, 1 other muscle disease) consisted predominantly of CD8+ T cells. None of these lines displayed natural killer-like cytotoxicity but all were capable of lectin-dependent cytotoxicity. Three of 6 polymyositis, 1 of 4 inclusion body myositis, and 1 of 5 dermatomyositis lines showed low but statistically significant cytotoxicity against autologous myotubes (6 to 27% specific 51Cr release; effector-target ratio, 20:1). The results demonstrate that functionally competent cytotoxic T cells can be expanded from muscle affected by inflammatory myopathies and are consistent with the hypothesis that some cytotoxic T cells recognize an autoantigen on myotubes. Further studies of this experimental system may define the molecular mechanism of T cell-mediated muscle fiber injury and may help to identify the relevant antigens.
Hohlfeld
R
R
Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN 55905.
Engel
A G
AG
D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000276:immunology; D002999:Clone Cells; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009132:Muscles / Q000276:immunology*; D009220:Myositis / Q000276:immunology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D006680:HLA Antigens; D007376:Interleukin-2