BORRELIA BURGDORFERI-SPECIFIC T-LYMPHOCYTES INDUCE SEVERE DESTRUCTIVELYME ARTHRITIS

This is the first documentation that Borrelia burgdorferi-specific T l ymphocytes are involved in the pathogenesis of Lyme arthritis. We pres ent direct evidence that T lymphocytes obtained from inbred LSH hamste rs vaccinated with a whole-cell preparation of Formalin-inactivated B. burgdorferi sensu stricto isolate C-1-11 in adjuvant conferred on nai ve recipient hamsters the ability to develop severe destructive arthri tis when challenged with B. burgdorferi sensu stricto isolates C-1-11 and 297. By contrast, recipients infused with normal T lymphocytes and challenged with B., burgdorferi sensu stricto isolates C-1-11 and 297 failed to develop severe destructive arthritis. The T lymphocytes tra nsferred were obtained from the lymph nodes of vaccinated and nonvacci nated hamsters by depleting B lymphocytes by using monoclonal antibody 14-4-4s (<1% B lymphocytes by how cytometric analysis), The enriched T lymphocytes showed enhanced proliferation to stimulation with concan avalin A and failed to respond to lipopolysaccharide. Moreover, only t he enriched T lymphocytes from vaccinated hamsters proliferated on exp osure to a whole-cell preparation of B, burgdorferi sensu stricto isol ate C-1-11 in the presence of mitomycin-treated syngeneic antigen-pres enting cells, These results demonstrate that B. burgdorferi-specific T lymphocytes primed by vaccination with a whole-cell preparation of in activated B. burgdorferi sensu stricto isolate C-1-11 in adjuvant are involved in the development of severe destructive arthritis. Additiona l experiments are needed to define the precise mechanism(s) responsibl e for the development of Lyme arthritis.