T cell-targeted immunotherapy in murine collagen-induced arthritis

Counteracting the effect of autoimmunity can be achieved by elimination or inactivation of autoreactive T cells. We have focused on two approaches targeting on autoaggressive T cells in the model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice. First, type II collagen (CII) primed DBA/1 mice were treated with various monoclonal antibodies (mAb) specific for the beta chains of the T cell receptor (TCR) using a protocol resulting in a long-term elimination of the target T cells. Indeed, CIA could be suppressed by injection of anti-V beta 8.1, 2 mAb and down-regulated by that of anti-V beta 2 and/or anti-V beta 5, presumably by deleting pathogenic T cell clones. In contrast, treatment with either anti-V beta 6 or anti-V beta 11 mAb did not alter CIA. Second, we generated CII-specific T cell hybrid clones that recognize the antigenic peptides in association with Kq and IA(q) molecules respectively for CD8+ and CD4+ cells. Vaccination with the irradiated hybrid clones, 3 weeks prior to immunization, was effective in preventing the development of arthritis. Furthermore, this suppression was antigen and disease specific. Most importantly, one CD8+ clone could reverse the ongoing disease. These new therapeutic approaches derived from animal models may offer a hope of more selective interventions for the treatment of human autoimmune diseases.