T-cell epitope of the autoantigen myelin basic protein that induces encephalomyelitis

摘要: Chronic relapsing paralysis and demyelination within the central nervous system (CNS), features associated with human disease multiple sclerosis (MS)1–4, develop in mice after injection of murine T-cell clones specific for autoantigen myelin basic protein (MBP)5,6. We examined fine specificity three independently derived encephalitogenic using synthetic polypeptides from portions N-terminal sequence MBP. These appear functionally identical; they all respond to an epitope nine amino acid residues association same class II (I-A) molecules major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Both acetyl moiety first residue (Ala) are necessary recognition. Only MBP peptides recognized by these were found cause encephalomyelitis (EAE) vivo. results show that MBP-specific T lymphocytes mediate autoimmune a small population limited repertoire; recognise combination MHC target.