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The role of processing in antigen (Ag) presentation and T cell activation in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) was evaluated in wild-type mice, mice that selectively express either Ii p31 or p41, and mice completely deficient in Ii or H-2M. We demonstrate that processing of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is required for presentation of the dominant encephalitogenic MOG epitope, p35-55. Ii p31- and p41-expressing mice developed EAE with similar incidence to wild-type mice, although p41 mice had a more severe course. Ag-presenting cells (APCs) from Ii- or H-2M-deficient mice could present p35-55, but not MOG, demonstrating that these APCs could not process native MOG. Ii- and H-2M-deficient mice were not susceptible to EAE by immunization with p35-55 or MOG or by adoptive transfer of encephalitogenic T cells. However, CD4+ T cells from p35-55-immunized H-2M-deficient mice proliferated, secreted IFN-gamma, and transferred EAE to wild-type, but not H-2M-deficient, mice. Thus, EAE resistance in H-2M-deficient mice is not due to an inability of APCs to present p35-55, or an intrinsic defect in the encephalitogenic T cell repertoire, but reflects a defect in APC function. Our results indicate that processing is required for initial Ag presentation and CNS T cell activation and suggest that autopathogenic peptides of CNS autoantigen may not be readily available for presentation without processing.

Original publication

DOI

10.1172/JCI13360

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Clin Invest

Publication Date

10/2001

Volume

108

Pages

1133 - 1139

Keywords

Animals, Antigen Presentation, Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte, Autoantigens, Base Sequence, DNA, Complementary, Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental, Endocytosis, H-2 Antigens, Histocompatibility Antigens Class II, Lymphocyte Activation, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mice, Mutant Strains, Myelin Proteins, Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein, Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein, RNA, Messenger, T-Lymphocytes