V-BETA-SPECIFIC IMMUNOTOXIN SELECTIVELY KILLS ACETYLCHOLINE RECEPTOR-REACTIVE T-LYMPHOCYTES FROM MICE WITH EXPERIMENTAL AUTOIMMUNE MYASTHENIA-GRAVIS

Immunization of C57BL/6 mice with purified acetylcholine receptor (ACh R) is known to induce a T cell-dependent antibody response that result s in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG). Since past obse rvations link V(beta)6(+) T cells with a prominent AChR epitope specif icity, a V(beta)6-specific immunotoxin (VIT6) was tested in vitro for its ability to selectively kill monoclonal and polyclonal T cells that demonstrate reactivity against AChR. Results described below clearly demonstrate the ability to selectively kill AChR-reactive T cells base d on their expression of a particular V-beta-associated antigen recept or.