A pathogenic role for myelin-specific CD8(+) T cells in a model for multiple sclerosis.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by plaques of infiltrating CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. Studies of MS and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS, focus on the contribution of CD4(+) myelin-specific T cells. The role of CD8(+) myelin-specific T cells in mediating EAE or MS has not been described previously. Here, we demonstrate that myelin-specific CD8(+) T cells induce severe CNS autoimmunity in mice. The pathology and clinical symptoms in CD8(+) T cell-mediated CNS autoimmunity demonstrate similarities to MS not seen in myelin-specific CD4(+) T cell-mediated EAE. These data suggest that myelin-specific CD8(+) T cells could function as effector cells in the pathogenesis of MS.
Huseby
E S
ES
Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.
Liggitt
D
D
Brabb
T
T
Schnabel
B
B
Ohlén
C
C
Goverman
J
J
D019264:Adoptive Transfer; D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity; D001921:Brain / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D002999:Clone Cells; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D019463:Mice, Inbred MRL lpr; D016513:Mice, SCID; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000276:immunology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
D004676:Myelin Basic Protein