Spreading of the immune response to different myelin basic protein peptides in chronic experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in B10.RIII mice

• B10.RIII mice develop chronic and relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) after immunization with the myelin basic protein (MBP) peptide 89-101 (VHFFKNIVTPRTP). To investigate the basis for the chronicity of the disease, the subsequent development of an immune responses to other parts of the MBP protein were investigated. Onset of disease occurs 9-25 days after immunization with MBP89-101. T cell responses towards a series of MBP peptides were assessed in an enzyme-linked immunospot assay detecting single cells secreting IFN-gamma. There were responses not only to MBP89-101, but also towards peptides derived from sequences outside of MBP89-101. These peptides were of two kinds: those with sequences completely outside the 89-101 stretch of MBP; and those sharing a short sequence with MBP89-101 depending on alternative splicing of MBP mRNA. Immunization with these peptides also produced chronic EAE and a spreading of the immune response to other MBP peptides. Immunization with stepped peptides around the relevant region (MBP87-110) showed that peptides sharing a 6-amino-acid motif induced EAE after immunization. After MBP89-101 peptide immunization, T cells isolated from lymph nodes did not cross-react in vitro to the other peptides sharing this motif. We suggest that one mechanism for the development of relapses during the disease course is the recruitment of new T cells with specificity for MBP peptides not derived from the peptide used for immunization. This is the first time such a mechanism has been demonstrated in a chronic autoimmune disease model.

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