title: Specific T-cell proliferation to myelin peptides in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The identification of major immunogenic peptides in multiple sclerosis (MS) is of great importance for the development of antigen-specific therapies. Cellular reactivity against a selected mix of seven myelin peptides was evaluated in vitro. The evolution of this reactivity over time and its correlation with clinical variables was also analysed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two patients with MS, 15 with other demyelinating diseases and 40 healthy donors (HD) were studied. Cell proliferation was measured by 3[H] thymidine incorporation into samples obtained at 0, 3, 6 and 12months of MS patient follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A positive reaction to the peptide mix was detected in 31 of the 42 patients (74%), 12 of the 40 HD (30%) and 6 of the 15 (40%) patients with other demyelinating diseases. Patients with positive proliferation had greater disability (EDSS score, 3 [1-5.5] vs. 1.0[1-2], P=0.021), higher number of relapses (7±4.1 vs. 3±1.2, P<0.001) and shorter time since the last relapse (9±7.5 vs. 32±12.3months, P=0.036). After 12months of follow-up, cell reactivity was maintained in 33 patients (78%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A high percentage of patients exhibit a significant and maintained reactivity to myelin peptides over time. Therefore, this mix may be useful as a source of antigen in the development of protocols aimed at inducing specific tolerance in MS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology Institut Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grau-López
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Raïch
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ramo-Tello
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Naranjo-Gómez
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dávalos
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pujol-Borrell
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Borràs
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martínez-Cáceres
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016525:Antigenic Modulation / Q000276:immunology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D009185:Myelin Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000502:physiology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; D009185:Myelin Proteins; D010446:Peptide Fragments