[Detection of antigen specific T cell clonality in autoimmune diseases and epitope analysis of autoantigen-reactive T cells].
In order to develop an ultimate therapy to overcome autoimmune diseases, it is very important to identify whether or not autoantigen-reactive T cells accumulate in such diseases. A novel method was established to analyze T cell clonality using a combination of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction of T cell receptor beta chain transcripts and single-strand conformation polymorphism (RT-PCR/SSCP). Using RT-PCR/SSCP, clonal expansion of T cells were identified in NOD mouse, collagen induced arthritis model, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, Sjögren's syndrome, bone marrow transplantation, pregnancy, malignant tumors, HTLV-I associated myopathy, and interstitial pneumonia. By using a tandem mass spectrometry or a lymphocytic proliferation assay, T cell epitopes were mapped in NOD mice, EAE, MCTD, and melanoma.
Miyazaki
Y
Y
Department of Clinical Immunology, Kyushu University.
Yamamoto
K
K
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D000939:Epitopes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000939:Epitopes