Ontogeny of synonymous T cell populations with specificity for a self MHC epitope mimicked by a bacterial homologoue: an antigen-specific T cell analysis in a non-transgenic system.
By means of a novel technique for identification and isolation of MHC class II-restricted antigen-specific T cells, we describe here in non-transgenic BALB / c mice physiological positive selection of an oligoclonal population of T cells which recognizes both a self MHC-derived peptide (Ialpha52) and a bacterial homologoue (Hi15). The results support a model for self peptide-mediated generation of T cells which have specificity for microbial antigens through molecular mimicry. This mechanism may be a model for the ontogeny of a physiological T cell response to infectious agents. Loss of control of these circuits may be part of the inciting factors of autoimmunity.
Bonnin
D
D
Department of Medicine University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, USA.
Prakken
B
B
Samodal
R
R
La Cava
A
A
Carson
D A
DA
Albani
S
S
D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000939:Epitopes; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell