F. Merkel et al., AUTOREACTIVE T-CELLS IN GOODPASTURES-SYNDROME RECOGNIZE THE N-TERMINAL NC1 DOMAIN ON ALPHA-3 TYPE-IV COLLAGEN, Kidney international, 49(4), 1996, pp. 1127-1133
Goodpasture's syndrome is mediated by immunopathogenic autoantibodies
to the alpha 3 NC1 domain of type IV collagen. It is not known whether
collaborating T-cells participate in this autoreactive response. Here
we describe the first T-cell clone isolated from a Goodpasture patien
t autoreactive to alpha 3 type IV collagen of glomerular basement memb
rane. To investigate cellular autoreactivity, T-cells from Goodpasture
patients or controls were isolated and stimulated by purified native
or recombinant type IV collagen proteins and synthetic oligopeptides.
Cell surface markers, the T-cell receptor repertoire, and MHC-restrict
ion were analyzed. T-cell clones specific for the alpha 3(N) NC1 domai
n were established in two Goodpasture patients, but not in controls. O
ne of the three CD8(+) T-cell clones was characterized further. It was
MHC class I restricted (HLA-A11) and expressed the T-cell receptor V
beta 5.1. chain. This clone specifically recognized a motif at the N-t
erminal area of the alpha 3(IV) NC1 domain (AA 51 to 59: GSPATWTTR). W
e conclude that autoreactive T-cells exists in Goodpasture patients an
d may play a crucial role in the inflammatory process. T-cell clones a
re autoreactive to the alpha 3(IV) NC1 domain. At least for one of the
clones, the T-cell epitope is different from the putative antibody-bi
nding site.