Abstract |
The overall goal of this study was to determine, during induction of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) in Lewis rats, the relative importance of acetylcholine receptor (AChR)-reactive helper T cells associated with one particular immunodominant fine specificity. Thus, experiments presented below were designed to evaluate the immunopathological role played by helper T cells with reactivity against the AChR alpha subunit region associated with amino acid residues 100-116 (i.e., alpha 100-116); in particular, the relationship between T cell reactivity with this specificity and disease induction was assessed. In order to examine the importance of this T cell reactivity, Lewis rat neonates were made T cell tolerant to a synthetic peptide alpha 100-116 and subsequently evaluated for anti-AChR antibody production and resulting neuromuscular dysfunction. Results indicated that although T cell reactivity against the alpha 100-116 peptide could be effectively removed from the Lewis T cell repertoire, tolerized Lewis rats immunized with AChR could undergo an active anti-AChR antibody response that produced symptoms of EAMG. Thus, other AChR T cell reactivities appeared capable of providing adequate help to B cells leading to production of anti-AChR antibodies with pathogenic potential.
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Authors | T E Zoda, K Brandon, K A Krolick |
Journal | Journal of neuroimmunology
(J Neuroimmunol)
Vol. 57
Issue 1-2
Pg. 35-44
(Mar 1995)
ISSN: 0165-5728 [Print] Netherlands |
PMID | 7535790
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
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Chemical References |
- Epitopes
- Peptide Fragments
- Receptors, Cholinergic
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Topics |
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
(immunology)
- Antibody Formation
- Epitopes
- Female
- Immune Tolerance
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Male
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Myasthenia Gravis
(immunology)
- Peptide Fragments
(immunology)
- Rats
- Rats, Inbred Lew
- Receptors, Cholinergic
(immunology)
- T-Lymphocytes
(immunology)
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