T-cell receptor Vβ-element expression in peripheral nerves of Lewis rats suffering from experimental autoimmune neuritis

Abstract In experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN), peripheral nerves are infiltrated by T-lymphocytes and macrophages. By RT-PCR and sequence analysis we characterized TCR V β -element usage in sciatic nerve tissue of Lewis rats suffering from EAN induced by immunization with peripheral myelin antigens. Several TCR V β -chain sequences were detected, which did not show homology to sequences of P2-reactive T cells published so far. In EAN induced with peripheral nerve myelin, but not with P2-protein or P2 peptide aa 53–78, TCR V β 8.2 sequences identical to sequences of encephalitogenic myelin basic protein (MBP) reactive T-cells were identified. These results provide further evidence for a contribution of MBP-directed T-cell reactivity to the pathogenesis of myelin induced EAN and may have implications for the pathogenesis of human demyelinating neuropathies.