Abstract
Encephalitogenic T cells specific for myelin basic protein share common Vβ8 peptide sequences in their T cell receptor (TCR) that can induce autoregulatory T cells and antibodies that prevent clinical signs of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). It is not known, however, if TCR peptides can treat established disease. To test its therapeutic value, TCR-Vβ8-39-59 peptide was injected into rats with clinical signs of EAE. This treatment reduced disease severity and speeded recovery, apparently by boosting anti-Vβ8 T cells and antibodies raised naturally in response to encephalitogenic VβS+ T cells. These results demonstrate that synthetic TCR peptides can be used therapeutically, and implicate the TCR-Vβ8-39-59 sequence as a natural idiotope involved in EAE recovery. Similarly, human TCR peptides may be effective in enhancing natural regulation of autoreactive T cells that share common V genes.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 430-432 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Science |
Volume | 251 |
Issue number | 4992 |
State | Published - Jan 25 1991 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General