Preferential expansion of autoreactive T lymphocytes from the memory T-cell pool by IL-7

We have developed a new technique that allows us to quantify antigen-specif ic T cells, and to determine their functional phenotype and origin from nai ve versus memory populations. Using this methodology, we have characterized a total of 286 T-cell lines specific for myelin basic protein (MBP) and in fluenza hemagglutinin from 16 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and nine hea lthy donors. Our data support the notion that MBP-specific T cells undergo in vivo activation in MS patients and indicate a presence of immune dysregu lation that renders MS patients prone to develop autoimmunity. Our methodol ogy offers a way to study antigen-specific T-cell characteristics as a surr ogate marker in immunotherapy trials. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All ri ghts reserved.