Murine monoclonal anti-myelin basic protein (MBP) antibodies inhibit proliferation and cytotoxicity of MBP-specific human T cell clones.
Myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific T cell clones, isolated from two patients with multiple sclerosis, expressed the CD4+ phenotype and induced MBP-dependent cytolysis of autologous Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B cells. The proliferation and cytolytic activity of the T cell clones were inhibited by four of a panel of five murine monoclonal anti-MBP antibodies in a dose-dependent manner. An isotype-matched antibody with an irrelevant specificity did not have such an effect. These MBP-specific monoclonal antibodies did not block phytohemagglutinin-induced T cell proliferation or allospecific cytotoxicity. These results suggest that some antibodies directed at the autoantigen MBP may play a regulatory role in T cell activation, rather than a pathogenic role, for which there is currently little supporting evidence.
Zhang
J W
JW
Department of Immunology, Dr. L. Willems Institute, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
Vandenbark
A A
AA
Jacobs
M P
MP
Offner
H
H
Raus
J C
JC
D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D001323:Autoantibodies; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein