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HLA-DQ6 (DQB10601)-restricted T cells protect against experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in HLA-DR3.DQ6 double-transgenic mice by generating anti-inflammatory IFN-gamma
Journal article   Peer reviewed

HLA-DQ6 (DQB10601)-restricted T cells protect against experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in HLA-DR3.DQ6 double-transgenic mice by generating anti-inflammatory IFN-gamma

Ashutosh Mangalam, David Luckey, Eati Basal, Marshall Behrens, Moses Rodriguez and Chella David
Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950), Vol.180(11), pp.7747-7756
06/01/2008
DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.180.11.7747
PMCID: PMC2576747
PMID: 18490779

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Abstract

The human MHC class II genes are associated with genetic susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the CNS of presumed autoimmune origin. These genes encode for proteins responsible for shaping immune response. The exact role of HLA-DQ and -DR genes in disease pathogenesis is not well-understood due to the high polymorphism, linkage disequilibrium, and heterogeneity of human populations. The advent of HLA class II-transgenic (Tg) mice has helped in answering some of these questions. Previously, using single-Tg mice (expressing the HLA-DR or -DQ gene), we showed that proteolipid protein (PLP)(91-110) peptide induced classical experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis only in DR3.Abeta degrees mice, suggesting that DR3 (DRB1*0301) is a disease susceptible gene in the context of PLP. Human population studies have suggested that HLA-DQ6 (DQB1*0601) may be a protective gene in MS. To test this disease protection in an experimental model, we generated double-Tg mice expressing both HLA-DR3 and -DQ6. Introduction of DQ6 onto DR3-Tg mice led to a decrease in disease incidence on immunization with PLP(91-110) peptide indicating a dominant protective role of DQ6. This protective effect is due to high levels of IFN-gamma produced by DQ6-restricted T cells, which suppressed proliferation of encephalitogenic DR3-restricted T cells by inducing apoptosis. Our study indicates that DQ6 modifies the PLP(91-110)-specific T cell response in DR3 through anti-inflammatory effects of IFN-gamma, which is protective for experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Thus, our double-Tg mouse provides a novel model in which to study epistatic interactions between HLA class II molecules in MS.
Nitric Oxide - biosynthesis T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - metabolism Disease Susceptibility Cytokines - metabolism Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental - metabolism HLA-DR3 Antigen - metabolism Humans Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental - immunology Mice, Transgenic Interferon-gamma - metabolism HLA-DQ Antigens - immunology T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - immunology Animals T-Lymphocytes - metabolism Interferon-gamma - immunology T-Lymphocytes - immunology Mice HLA-DR3 Antigen - immunology Apoptosis Cytokines - immunology Disease Models, Animal

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