INDUCTION OF AUTOLOGOUS MIXED LYMPHOCYTE CULTURE RESPONSES BY MYELIN BASIC PROTEIN-REACTIVE T-CELL CLONES

Myelin basic protein is an autoantigen present in the central nervous system suspected to be the target of destruction in multiple sclerosis . In the present study, we have demonstrated that T cell clones specif ic for myelin basic protein have the ability to induce proliferative r esponses in resting T lymphocytes in the autologous mixed lymphocyte c ulture (AMLC). T cell recognition of the AMLC stimulatory determinants on the clones required the presence of autologous monocytes. T lympho cytes primed against an autologous myelin basic protein-specific T cel l clone displayed specific memory responses against the original stimu lating clone and failed to exhibit secondary reactivity to 'sister' my elin basic protein-reactive clones and to autologous T cell clones spe cific for another antigen. Monoclonal antibodies specific for class II HLA-DR antigens inhibited secondary AMLC responses. Modulation of the T cell receptor from the surface of the clones decreased their AMLC s timulatory ability. These results indicate that idiotype-like determin ants on the T cell receptor of autoantigen-specific T cell clones are capable of triggering anti-idiotypic T cell responses.