CD28:B7 interaction is necessary for the protective effect of T cell vaccination in EAE

The mechanisms of T cell vaccination (TCV) are still unclear, especially the molecular interactions for recognition of autoreactive T cells by the immune system. Here we investigated the role of CD28:B7 interaction in TCV-induced protection in the murine EAE model. We demonstrate that there is increased expression of both B7-1 and B7-2 on autoreactive Th1 cells compared to Th2 cells. Blockade of B7 on the vaccinating autoreactive T cell surface or blockade of CD28 in recipient mice reduced the protective effect of TCV. Furthermore, we showed that TCV significantly inhibited Ag-specific CD4 and CD8 T cell proliferation and decreased Ag-specific IFN-gamma production by CD4 T cells in mice undergoing TCV, and blocking of B7 on the surface of vaccinating T cells reduced this inhibition on Ag-specific CD4 and CD8 T cell proliferation, more significantly on Ag-specific CD4 T cell proliferation. These data indicated that B7 expression on autoreactive T cells is necessary for the recognition of autoreactive T cells by the immune system and subsequent protection from EAE in mice undergoing TCV.