Subcutaneous administration of T-epitope sequences of the acetylcholine receptor prevents experimental myasthenia gravis

Immunization with acetylcholine receptor (AChR) causes experimental myasthe nia gravis (EMG). The s.c. administration to C57BI/6 mice of synthetic AChR CD4(+) epitopes, before and during AChR immunization, reduced the epitope- specific CD4(+) responses and the anti-AChR Ab synthesis, and prevented EMG . The s.c. administration of solubilized AChR had effects similar to those of peptide treatment. Sham-tolerized mice had only Thl anti-AChR cells, whe reas peptide-treated mice had also Th2, cells, and Th2-induced anti-peptide Ab. Established EMG was not affected by s.c. peptide treatment, whereas it worsened after s.c. administration of solubilized AChR. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.