CD8+ myelin peptide-specific T cells can chemoattract CD4+ myelin peptide-specific T cells: importance of IFN-inducible protein 10.

Journal: Journal Of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
Published:
Abstract

The demyelination process that occurs in the central nervous system (CNS) of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is due, in part, to an inflammatory response in which CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and macrophages infiltrate white matter. While it is thought that the inflammatory and demyelination process in MS is the product of Th1-associated cytokines secreted by CD4+ myelin protein-specific T cells present in the CNS, the mechanisms that are responsible for the recruitment and maintenance of these myelin-reactive CD4+ T cells in the CNS have not been elucidated. We have shown previously that CD8+ CTL that recognize peptides derived from sequences of the myelin proteolipid protein (PLP) presented by HLA class I molecules can be generated in vitro, and that these PLP-specific CD8+ CTL secrete the proinflammatory chemokines macrophage-inflammatory protein-1alpha and -1beta, IL-16, and IP-10. In this study, we demonstrate that soluble products of these PLP-specific CD8+ CTL can chemoattract CD4+ T cells that are specific for a myelin basic protein peptide and a PLP peptide, and that the majority of this chemotactic activity is mediated by IFN-inducible protein 10. These results demonstrate that PLP-specific CD8+ T cells can play a role in the recruitment and retention of myelin-derived peptide-specific CD4+ T cells, and indicate that they may play a proinflammatory role in the pathogenesis of MS.

Authors
W Biddison, W Cruikshank, D Center, C Pelfrey, D Taub, R Turner
Relevant Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)