Limited heterogeneity of rearranged T-cell receptor V alpha transcripts in brains of multiple sclerosis patients

Article Abstract:

In multiple sclerosis (MS), the myelin sheath (fatty covering) around the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord breaks down, resulting in degradation of normal nerve functioning. Since this has been shown to be an inflammatory reaction involving the infiltration of many white blood cells to the affected area, an autoimmune reaction resulting from a virus has been hypothesized. The infiltration of some of these white cells, called T lymphocytes (or T cells), has been shown to be genetically influenced via a T cell antigen receptor (TCR) site found in the brain of MS patients. To further understand the influence of these TCR genes, genetic material (messenger RNA) was taken from the brain lesions of three deceased MS patients and from three control brains. From this material the researchers tried to synthesize and amplify the DNA sequences for the TCR binding sites. They used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with each specimen to enlarge these gene sequences, and could demonstrate DNA production for various different TCR binding sites in the three MS samples, but not for the controls. Further study of the individual TCR sites could allow a better understanding of the antigens involved in the pathogenesis of MS. Treatment possibilities could then be researched, as an understanding of the antigen could lead to a production of an antibody that could inactivate the response that leads to the T cell infiltration in MS. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Development and progression, Antigen receptors, T cell

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Treatment of experimental encephalomyelitis with a peptide analogue of myelin basic protein

Article Abstract:

Various types of T cells with heterogeneous receptors are found in the inflammatory infiltrate in the central nervous system after experimental encephalomyelitis is induced with a T-cell clone L10C1. This clone responds to the myelin basic protein epitope p87-99. It is shown that in vivo tolerization of L10C1 with an analogue of p87-99 reverses established paralysis, reduces inflammatory infiltrates and eliminates the heterogeneous T-cell infiltrate from the brain..

Care and treatment, Analysis, Encephalomyelitis

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Selection for T-cell receptor V-beta-D-beta-J-beta gene rearrangements with specificity for a myelin basic protein peptide in brain lesions of multiple sclerosis

Article Abstract:

T-cell immune responses that occur in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) exhibit gene arrangements of T-cell receptors (TCR) that are antigen-specific to myelin basic protein (MBP). MS is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system marked by inflammation and lesions in the brain. The motifs in common between TCR and MBP indicate that T cells with antigenic specificity occur in MS brain lesions.

Physiological aspects, Brain diseases

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