Identification of T-Cell Epitopes on U1a Protein in Mrl/Lpr Mice: Double- Negative T Cells Are the Major Responsive Cells
Resource
IMMUNOLOGY v.115 n.2 pp.279-286
Journal
IMMUNOLOGY
Journal Volume
v.115
Journal Issue
n.2
Pages
279-286
Date Issued
2005
Date
2005
Author(s)
Yang, Mei-Hui
Suen, Jau-Ling
Li, Shiao-Lan
Chiang, Bor-Luen
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by the existence of a heterogeneous group of autoantibodies such as anti-DNA, chromatin, histone, and ribonucleoprotein antibodies (Abs). Although the B-cell antigenic determinants have been well characterized, very limited data about the T -cell epitopes of self-antigen (Ag) have been reported. In the present study, we analysed auto-T-cell epitopes using bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DCs) pulsed with murine U1A (mU1A) protein capable of activating autoreactive T cells from unprimed MRL/lpr mice in vitro. The data suggested that there are at least four T-cell epitopes on the U1A protein, U1A3150, U1A6180, U1A201220 and U1A271287, and U1A3150 had the most significant T-cell proliferative response. In addition, the main responsive T cells are the CD4 CD8 double-negative subgroup of T cells. Furthermore, we also demonstrated that the activation of double-negative T cells is major histocompatibility complex class II restricted. The study here provides information on T-cell epitope analysis of the U1A antigen using BM-DCs as the effective antigen-presenting cells.
Subjects
SYSTEMIC-LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS
DENDRITIC CELLS
LPR MICE
IN- VIVO
AUTOANTIBODIES
AUTOIMMUNITY
Type
journal article