Cerebrospinal fluid T cells from multiple sclerosis patients recognize autologous Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cells.
The association between multiple sclerosis and Epstein-Barr virus infection could involve Epstein-Barr virus-specific T cells, provided that these T cells get access to the intrathecal compartment. We report that CD4+ T cells from the cerebrospinal fluid of six out of six multiple sclerosis patients, and four out of six patients with other neurological diseases, recognized autologous B cells transformed with Epstein-Barr virus. The cerebrospinal fluid T-cell responses were predominantly HLA-DR restricted. These T cells did not recognize B cells activated through stimulation of CD40 or the inducible autoantigen alphaB crystalline. These findings support that the immunological response to Epstein-Barr virus could contribute to the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis.
Holmøy
Trygve
T
Institute of Immunology, Rikshospitalet University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. trygveho@labmed.uio.no
Vartdal
Frode
F
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D038203:alpha-Crystallin B Chain / Q000276:immunology
D019013:CD40 Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D038203:alpha-Crystallin B Chain