title: MHC-restricted autoantigen-reactive T cell clones in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with genetic, viral and autoimmune characteristics. Myelin basic protein (MBP) is a suspected target autoantigen since it induces experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model closely resembling multiple sclerosis. The disease is mediated by Class II restricted, MBP-reactive T cells possessing the T helper/inducer phenotype. In the present study, we have isolated MBP-reactive T cell clones from the peripheral blood of a chronic progressive multiple sclerosis patient. The clones displayed blastogenic memory responses when rechallenged with the autoantigen and irradiated autologous lymphocytes. MBP recognition by the autoantigen-reactive T lymphocytes was restricted by major histocompatibility complex Class II antigens. Both CD4+8- and CD4-8+ MBP-reactive T cell clones were obtained.
authors.affiliation: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark 07103.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rohowsky-Kochan
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Troiano
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Cook
mesh_terms: D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D001324:Autoantigens; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000276:immunology; D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology*; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D001324:Autoantigens; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein