High level of cross-reactivity in influenza virus hemagglutinin-specific CD4+ T-cell response: implications for the initiation of autoimmune response in multiple sclerosis

J Neuroimmunol. 2005 Dec;169(1-2):31-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2005.07.014. Epub 2005 Sep 15.

Abstract

Viral infections play a role in shaping and maintaining the peripheral T-cell repertoire, as well as in the initiation of autoimmune response via mechanisms of molecular mimicry. In this study, we addressed the flexibility of T-cell receptor (TCR) recognition and the degree of structural and sequence homology required for cross-reactive immune response in the induction of autoimmune response. We studied the extent of cross-reactivity of a CD4+T-cell clone (TCC) specific for the immunodominant influenza virus hemagglutinin (Flu-HA) peptide derived from a patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) using positional scanning synthetic peptide combinatorial libraries (PS-SCL). We documented cross-reactivity against 14 Flu-HA variants, 11 viral, 15 human, and 3 myelin-derived peptides. Moreover, we identified six naturally occurring peptides with higher stimulatory potency than the native ligand, implicating high potential for cross-reactivity even for a virus-specific memory TCC. Our study demonstrates that flexibility of TCR recognition is present even in a clone with a high degree of TCR specificity for an infectious agent. The results have implications for vaccine design and for antigen-specific treatment strategies for autoimmune diseases.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Clone Cells
  • Cross Reactions*
  • Databases, Genetic
  • Epitope Mapping
  • Hemagglutination, Viral / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Mimicry
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / pathology
  • Myelin Proteins / metabolism
  • Orthomyxoviridae / chemistry*
  • Peptide Library
  • ROC Curve

Substances

  • Myelin Proteins
  • Peptide Library