EVIDENCE FOR AUTOANTIGENS OF ENV TAX PROTEINS IN HUMAN T-CELL LEUKEMIA-VIRUS TYPE-I ENV-PX TRANSGENIC MICE/

Objective. To examine T cell clonotypes infiltrating into arthritic jo ints and to investigate whether human T cell leukemia virus type I (HT LV-I) env-pX gene products act as autoantigens in HTLV-I env-pX transg enic mice. Methods. Complementary DNA (cDNA) encoding the V-D-J (third complementarity-determining region [CDR3]) region of T cell receptor beta chain was amplified by V beta family polymerase chain reaction, T cell clonotypes were detected by a single-strand conformational polym orphism method, and sequence analysis of the CDR3 region was performed . Results. Distinct oligoclonal T cell expansion was observed in arthr itic joints, and a conserved amino acid motif in the CDR3 region was f ound in T cells infiltrating joints. Moreover, several intraarticular T cells recognized HTLV-I Env and Tax proteins. Conclusion. Our result s suggest that HTLV-I Env and Tax proteins act as autoantigens that ar e recognized by autoreactive T cells in inflamed arthritic lesions in the HTLV-I env-pX transgenic mouse. Thus, some T cells infiltrating th e joint recognize Env or Tax protein. These cells may trigger chronic arthritis in HTLV-I env-pX transgenic mice.