T cell determinants of myelin basic protein include a unique encephalitogenic I-E-restricted epitope for Lewis rats

H. Offner, G. A. Hashim, B. Celnik, A. Galang, X. Li, F. R. Burns, N. Shen, E. Heber-Katz, A. A. Vandenbark

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

113 Scopus citations

Abstract

The major encephalitogenic epitope for Lewis rats is the 72-89 sequence of guinea pig basic protein (GP-BP) or rat basic protein (Rt-BP). T cells responsive to this epitope are I-A-restricted and preferentially express the Vα2:Vβ8 gene combination in their TCR. In this work, we describe for the first time the delayed appearance of T cells specific for additional discrete determinant of BP, the nonencephalitogenic 55-68 sequence of GP-BP restricted by I-A, and the encephalitogenic 87-99 sequence of Rt-BP restricted by I-E. The TCR Vα2:Vβ8 gene combination was expressed by both encephalitogenic GP-BP S72-89 and Rt-BP S87-99 T cell specificities but not by GP-BP 44-68-specific T cells. This is the first demonstration of I-E-restricted encephalitogenic T cells in Lewis rats and supports the conclusion that the I-E class II locus is involved in autoimmune diseases.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)355-367
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine
Volume170
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1989
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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