MODULATION OF THE SEVERITY OF EXPERIMENTAL AUTOIMMUNE ENCEPHALOMYELITIS BY γδ T LYMPHOCYTES ACTIVATED BY MYCOBACTERIAL ANTIGENS

Abstract

Immunity to mycobacterial antigens may contribute to the maintenance of self-tolerance. Exposure of the immune system to mycobacterial antigen might well stimulate the immune system to exert control over unwanted self-reactive clones. We demonstrated that in vivo administration of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, PPD, and PPD peptide (180–196) prior to immunization with Myelin Basic Protein (MBP)led to a moderate increase of γδ T cells, suppression of the immune response, and reduction in the severity of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis. The immunosuppression observed is due, at least in part, to the production of Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) by the γδ T lymphocytes.

• EAE
• Autoimmunity
• TGFβ
• T TCR γδ
• Mycobacterial antigens