T cell lines derived from the spinal cords of mice with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis are self reactive.
Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal model of T cell-mediated, central nervous system neuropathology that may be a relevant animal model for multiple sclerosis. EAE is usually induced by sensitization of animals with a xenogeneic myelin basic protein (MBP). Recently, MBP-reactive T cell lines and clones derived from lymphoid tissue of animals with EAE have proved very useful in elucidating certain aspects of the pathogenesis in EAE. However, questions relating to how T cells actually mediate the pathologic changes seen in EAE remain unresolved. We now report for the first time the derivation of long-term, interleukin 2-dependent T cell lines and sublines from a site of pathology in murine EAE--the spinal cord. All of the spinal cord-derived T cell lines and sublines were found to be "autoreactive" in that they responded to self (murine) MBP as well as to the xenogeneic immunogen, porcine MBP. The ability to derive T cell lines and sublines from the spinal cords of mice with EAE should now aid in the elucidation of pathogenetic mechanisms in EAE by allowing for a characterization of those T cells found at the site of pathology.
D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D002460:Cell Line; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000276:immunology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein