T cell response to N-formylated peptides in humans

We present the first evidence of a T lymphocyte response to N-formylated peptides in humans. N-formylated peptide sequences from self (mitochondrial) and foreign (microbial) antigens were used to isolate antigen-specific T cell clones from healthy individuals, including a set of monozygotic twins. The observed response differed from that previously described in mouse (CD4(+) phenotype and MHC class II restriction in humans vs. CD8(+) phenotype and class I restriction in mice). These lymphocytes produce substantial amounts of IFN-gamma. They were isolated in only one of the monozygotic twins, which suggests that their expansion in the healthy immune repertoire is independent of the genetic background. Our result will help in assessing the relevance of N-formylated peptide-specific T cells in protection against infections within the human immune system.

Global immune disregulation in multiple sclerosis: from the adaptive response to the innate immunity

Increasing evidences show a global immune disregulation in multiple sclerosis (MS). The possible involvement of myelin and non-myelin (auto-)antigens in the autoaggressive process as well as the disregulation of both adaptive and innate immunity challenge the concept of specific immunotherapy. T cells at the boundary between innate and adaptive immunity, whose immunoregulatory role is becoming increasingly clear, have recently been shown to bear relevance for MS pathogenesis. Global immune interventions (and type I interferons may be considered as such) aimed at interfering with both innate and acquired immune responses seem to be a most promising therapeutic option in MS.

Dynamics of the reactivity to MBP in multiple sclerosis

Though many lines of evidence support the importance of myelin basic protein (MBP) in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), its role in multiple sclerosis (MS) is still debated as well as the significance of epitope spreading in disease progression. We characterised the response to MBP in eight MS subjects and three of these were followed over time. In one case, the follow up lasted over a 6-year period. Clonal expansion, clonal persistence and epitope spreading against other MBP determinants was detected irrespective of disease course. In one patient we identified a novel T-cell receptor variable gene (BV28S2) which may be involved in the selection of MBP determinants, as suggested by experiments performed in the presence of mismatched antigen presenting cells (APC) between two subjects compatible for HLA-DR2 subtype but differing for the epitope recognised. Our findings do not sustain a role for the response to MBP effecting on clinical course and suggest that a novel TCR gene may be involved in the recognition of unusual self antigens.

An attempt of identifying MS-associated loci as a follow-up of a genomic linkage study in the Italian population

Subsequent to a genomic linkage study on Sardinian and Continental Italian families, we considered the possibility that some of the tested microsatellite markers showed association to MS. Markers selected on the basis of the data obtained in the original set of 70 multiplex families were tested for MS association in an additional set of 154 simplex families. A limited set of markers were further tested on an additional set of 100 simplex families. The results indicate the presence of a putative MS gene in 19q13.13.

T cell response to myelin basic protein before and after treatment with interferon beta in multiple sclerosis

Studies on the in vivo effects of interferon-beta (IFNbeta) therapy on autoreactive T cells have never been carried out in multiple sclerosis (MS). We investigated the T cell response to myelin basic protein (MBP), before and after IFN-beta therapy, raising MBP-specific T cell lines (TCL) from the peripheral blood of six MS patients with a satisfactory response to the treatment. IFNbeta did not affect the relative frequency and epitope specificity of the TCL. After IFNbeta therapy, the production of interleukin-4 was decreased in MBP-stimulated TCL while the secretion of interferon-gamma was increased in unstimulated TCL. Interleukin-10 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha did not show significant variations. This finding supports recent suggestions about the complexity of the T helper 1/T helper 2 paradigm in MS and other organ-specific autoimmune diseases. In fact, the beneficial effects of IFNbeta do not exclude an immunostimulatory action that may involve potentially autoreactive T cells. This has implications for future treatment options, including combination therapies.

A major influence of the T cell receptor repertoire as compared to antigen processing-presentation in the selection of myelin basic protein epitopes in multiple sclerosis

We selected two multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, compatible for HLA-DR2 subtype, and differing for HLA-DM haplotype as well as for the myelin basic protein (MBP) epitope recognized by the vast majority of their T cell lines (TCL) (residues 16-38 and 86-99, respectively). TCL sharing the same restriction element were re-assayed in the presence of reciprocally mismatched antigen-presenting cells (APC). The TCL recognized both the whole MBP and the relevant peptide also in the presence of non-autologous APC, (compatibility for processing, despite a difference in the DM haplotype). The same protocol, performed in serum-free pulsing experiments or in the presence of 'fixed' APC, excluded extracellular processing or mutual T cell presentation, and confirmed the need for MBP processing in our system. The finding, that only TCL recognizing MBP peptide 16-38 (a region not previously related to the DR2 haplotype) used a novel Vbeta, supports the importance of the TCR repertoire over the processing-presentation machinery in the selection of MBP epitopes in MS.

HLA-DM polymorphisms do not associate with multiple sclerosis: an association study with analysis of myelin basic protein T cell specificity

The MHC region on 6p harbors at least one susceptibility gene for multiple sclerosis (MS). Within this region, HLA-DM loci are of interest being involved in class II antigen processing. We investigated the association of HLA-DM polymorphisms with MS. Sixty-three patients with MS and 46 healthy controls from continental Italy were typed for HLA-DM polymorphisms and HLA-DRB1 alleles. Besides, among the donors characterized for the DM polymorphisms, we considered 6 MS patients previously studied for the fine specificity of their MBP-specific T lymphocyte lines (TLL). The frequencies of allelic variants at the DMA and DMB loci were similar between MS patients and controls, even when HLA-DRB1*1501 positive and negative donors were analyzed separately. Patients with predominant responses to different MBP epitopes did not differ for their HLA-DM haplotype while patients with predominant responses to the same MBP epitope could present different HLA-DM haplotypes. HLA-DM polymorphisms do not associate with MS and may not affect specific patterns of T cell responses to MBP.

Down-regulation of cell-surface CD4 co-receptor expression and modulation of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

Pre-immunization with autoantigens confers resistance in experimental models of autoimmune diseases. Since non-self molecules can also be protective, it is conceivable that part of the effect rests on a non-specific attenuation of the immune response. This study is aimed at identifying mechanisms by which pre-immunization with a moiety suspended in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) protects from experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). Lewis rats were immunized with each of either concanavalin A, lipopolysaccharide, bovine serum albumin, 70 or 65 kDa heat shock proteins, or myelin basic protein. All moieties were given in IFA 3 weeks prior to EAE induction. Serial cytofluorimetric monitoring of B cells and of the alpha beta TCR+, CD4+, CD8+, CD45high and CD45low cells was performed. IFN-gamma and IgG1 production was evaluated in parallel. All moieties were able to attenuate or abrogate the clinical signs of EAE. At day 4 and 10 after EAE induction, the surface expression of the CD4 molecule was down-regulated on T lymphocytes. This down-regulation was most evident in animals with the highest degree of clinical protection. By day 21 post-immunization, CD4 expression was restored. The same animals also showed an increase in the B cell percentage and Th2-related IgG1 production while IFN-gamma secretion was reduced. Pre-immunization with diverse antigens suspended in IFA confers resistance to EAE induction. The down-regulation of the CD4 co-receptor accompanied by events suggestive of an immune deviation may be a general mechanism that contributes to the protection.