Myelin basic protein intramolecular spreading without disease progression in a patient with multiple sclerosis

J Neuroimmunol. 2000 Oct 2;110(1-2):240-3. doi: 10.1016/s0165-5728(00)00342-8.

Abstract

A case with stable multiple sclerosis (MS) and T cell responses which initially focused on peptide 16-38 of myelin basic protein (MBP) allowed us to investigate the dynamics of the MBP-specific T cell repertoire and its relationship with disease progression. Epitope mapping experiments and T cell receptor usage of MBP-reactive T cell lines (obtained at four distinct time points over a 7-year period) showed a spreading of the response. Transient expansions and persistence of T cells recognizing different MBP epitopes were also detected. The patient's expanded disability status scale and magnetic resonance imaging lesion load remained stable. Our case shows both persistent self-recognitions and determinant spreading in stable MS. This finding suggests that the relationship between dynamics of self-recognition and disease progression is highly complex.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Disease Progression
  • Epitope Mapping
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / chemistry
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology*
  • Myelin Basic Protein / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology

Substances

  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Myelin Basic Protein