JC virus induces a vigorous CD8+ cytotoxic T cell response in multiple sclerosis patients.
We sought to compare the ongoing CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) immune response of MS patients to self and viral antigens. Using 51Cr release and tetramer staining assays, we found that the CTL response against VP1, the major capsid protein of the polyomavirus JC (JCV), was significantly higher than the one against epitopes of MBP and PLP. The JCV-specific CTL response was also significantly stronger in MS patients than healthy control subjects. These findings may shed a new light on the recent events related to the development of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in three natalizumab-treated patients.
Du Pasquier
Renaud A
RA
Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA. Renaud.Du-Pasquier@chuv.ch
Stein
Marion C
MC
Lima
Marco A
MA
Dang
Xin
X
Jean-Jacques
Jims
J
Zheng
Yue
Y
Letvin
Norman L
NL
Koralnik
Igor J
IJ
D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D015234:HLA-A Antigens / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007577:JC Virus / Q000276:immunology*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000276:immunology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D019562:Viral Load
D036022:Capsid Proteins; D015234:HLA-A Antigens; C062481:VP1 protein, polyomavirus