Self and non-self peptides treat autoimmune encephalomyelitis: T cell anergy or competition for major histocompatibility complex class II binding?

Abstract

In susceptible strains of mice, myelin basic protein (MBP) peptide Acl-ll induces experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) providing a useful model for human multiple sclerosis. Acl-11 binds major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules A alpha upsilon A beta upsilon. Here, we show that the Acl-11 peptide, when administered intraperitoneally in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) emulsion, can effectively treat Acl-11-induced EAE in mice. Treatment with Acl-11/IFA 9 days after initial immunization with Acl-11 in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) results in a loss of T cell proliferation to MBP Acl-11. This lack of T cell proliferation is not due to T cell anergy and is not specific. A similar lack of T cell proliferation and inhibition of EAE is observed when an ovalbumin peptide OVA323-339 or a sperm whale myoglobin peptide SWM110-121 are used to treat mice immunized with Acl-11. Interestingly, we show that previously unresponsive lymph node cells from treated mice respond normally if Acl-11 is presented by fresh antigen-presenting cells taken from normal mice. These results argue that the lack of T cell proliferation and inhibition of EAE is not due to specific T cell anergy as suggested by others. Instead this appears to be due to blocking of MHC class II molecules A alpha upsilon A beta upsilon by the treating peptides.

• Authors: A M Gautam
• Journal: European journal of immunology (Eur J Immunol) Vol. 25 Issue 7 Pg. 2059-63 (Jul 1995) ISSN: 0014-2980 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 7542603 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Autoantigens
• Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
• Myelin Basic Protein
• Peptides
• Ovalbumin

Topics

• Animals
• Autoantigens (immunology)
• Binding, Competitive
• Clonal Anergy
• Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental (immunology)
• Histocompatibility Antigens Class II (metabolism)
• Lymph Nodes (immunology)
• Lymphocyte Activation
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred Strains
• Myelin Basic Protein (chemistry, immunology)
• Ovalbumin (immunology)
• Peptides (immunology, therapeutic use)
• T-Lymphocytes (immunology)