Myelin basic protein epitopes secreted by human T cells encounter natural autoantibodies in the serum.
A previously isolated and characterized IgM monoclonal antibody (mAb 1H6.2) specific to myelin basic protein (MBP) and to MBP epitopes expressed by nonneural cells was used to immunoprecipitate and investigate the expression of MBP epitopes by human T cells. Peripheral T lymphocytes secreted MBP epitopes, and secretion increased in time after mitogen stimulation. Conversely, thymocytes secreted these proteins independently on mitogen stimulation. Specific antibody reactivity (primarily due to IgG3) towards immunoprecipitated MBP epitopes was found in all tested sera from healthy donors and from multiple sclerosis patients as well as in sera from normal human cord blood. Collectively, these data provide insights into the immunological mechanisms leading to central and peripheral tolerance to MBP products.
Guerriero
Chiara
C
Dipartimento di Patologia, Università di Verona, c/o Policlinico G.B. Rossi, I-37134 Verona, Italy.
Zoccatelli
Gianni
G
Stefani
Elisabetta
E
Sartoris
Silvia
S
Cestari
Tiziana
T
Riviera
Anna Pia
AP
Tridente
Giuseppe
G
Andrighetto
Giancarlo
G
Chignola
Roberto
R
D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D001666:Binding Sites, Antibody; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification; D008998:Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*
D001323:Autoantibodies; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; D007106:Immune Sera; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein