Autoantigen-induced self lysis of human myelin basic protein-specific T lymphocytes

Cytotoxic T cells reactive with myelin basic protein (MBP) may be isolated from most human subjects. Since activated T cells express major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens, we assessed whether MBP-specific, CD4+ T cells could present MBP or synthetic MBP peptides to themselves and whether this provoked self lysis. We examined two MBP-specific cell lines and eight T cell clones recognizing four different MBP epitopes. All T cell populations presented MBP as well as synthetic peptides to themselves eliciting self lysis of the T cell clones. CD4+ T cell populations recognizing another central nervous system (CNS) protein, proteolipid protein (PLP), or the recall antigen, Candida, did not exhibit this antigen-induced, autocytolytic activity. However, activated, PLP-reactive T cells were susceptible to lysis by cytotoxic MBP-specific T cells in the presence of MBP. These results suggest that antigen-induced self lysis of activated human T cells might limit an autoimmune response within a target organ independent of other immunoregulatory mechanisms.