Glatiramer acetate (copolymer-1)-specific, human T cell lines: cytokine profile and suppression of T cell lines reactive against myelin basic protein

Glatiramer acetate (GA), represents an established treatment of relapsing/r emitting multiple sclerosis (MS). The mechanisms responsible for the effect of GA are not fully understood. We generated GA-, myelin basic protein (MB P)- and purified protein derivative (PPD)-specific T cell lines from three MS patients and one healthy donor. The GA-specific lines were CD3(+), CD4(), CD8(-) and produced tumor-necrosis-factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon- gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleuk in-10 (IL-10) after stimulation with GA in the presence of irradiated perip heral blood mononuclear cells. MBP-specific T cell lines showed an identica l phenotype and secreted TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-4, IL-10, but not IL-6. C o-culture experiments demonstrated, that GA-specific T cell lines have the capability to suppress the proliferation of MBP-specific T cell lines. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.