Expansion of a recurrent V beta 5.3+ T-cell population in newly diagnosed and untreated HLA-DR2 multiple sclerosis patients.

Abstract

We have used a PCR-based technology to study the V beta 5 and V beta 17 repertoire of T-cell populations in HLA-DR2 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. We have found that the five MS DR2 patients studied present, at the moment of diagnosis and prior to any treatment, a marked expansion of a CD4+ T-cell population bearing V beta 5-J beta 1.4 beta chains. The sequences of the complementarity-determining region 3 of the expanded T cells are highly homologous. One shares structural features with that of the T cells infiltrating the central nervous system and of myelin basic protein-reactive T cells found in HLA-DR2 MS patients. An homologous sequence was not detectable in MS patients expressing DR alleles other than DR2. However, it is detectable but not expanded in healthy DR2 individuals. The possible mechanisms leading to its in vivo proliferation at the onset of MS are discussed.

• Authors: P Musette, D Bequet, C Delarbre, G Gachelin, P Kourilsky, D Dormont
• Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A) Vol. 93 Issue 22 Pg. 12461-6 (Oct 29 1996) ISSN: 0027-8424 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8901604 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• HLA-DR2 Antigen
• Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta

Topics

• Base Sequence
• CD4-CD8 Ratio
• CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes (chemistry)
• Electrophoresis, Agar Gel
• HLA-DR2 Antigen (analysis)
• Humans
• Molecular Sequence Data
• Multiple Sclerosis (genetics, immunology)
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta (analysis, genetics)
• T-Lymphocytes (chemistry)