Human T lymphocytes specific for the immunodominant 83-99 epitope of myelin basic protein: Recognition of golli MBP HOG 7

Myelin basic protein (MBP) is a candidate autoantigen in the disease multiple sclerosis. Although MBP was thought to be sequestered behind the blood-brain barrier, isoforms of MBPs have recently been demonstrated in lymphoid tissues. These isoforms, termed golli MBPs, contain sequences that are shared with 'classic' MBP within the CNS. In the present study, we have determined that epitopes within golli MBP isoforms may be recognized by human T lymphocyte clones specific for classic MBP. Ten of 12 T-cell clones recognized golli MBP. Although 11 clones were specific for the immunodominant 83-99 sequence, the clones differed with respect to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) restriction, T-helper phenotype, cytolytic activity, and T-cell receptor usage. Greater responses to classic MBP than to golli MBP suggested a difference in the ability of the two proteins to be processed and to present epitopes therein. These data advance the hypothesis that golli MBP sequences expressed within lymphoid tissues may be recognized by classic MBP- specific T lymphocytes during central or peripheral tolerance.