|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Original Article |
ssadegh{at}jhmi.edu
Induction of tolerance in self-reactive memory T cells is an important process in the prevention of autoimmune responses against peripheral self-antigens in autoimmune diseases. Although naive T cells can readily be tolerized, memory T cells are less susceptible to tolerance induction. Recently, we demonstrated that low avidity engagement of T cell receptor (TCR) by low densities of agonist peptides induced anergy in T cell clones. Since memory T cells are more responsive to lower antigenic stimulation, we hypothesized that a low avidity TCR engagement may induce tolerance in memory T cells. We have explored two antigenic systems in two transgenic mouse models, and have tracked specific T cells that are primed and show memory phenotype. We demonstrate that memory CD4+ T cells can be rendered anergic by presentation of low densities of agonist peptide–major histocompatibility complex complexes in vivo. We rule out other commonly accepted mechanisms for induction of T cell tolerance in vivo, such as deletion, ignorance, or immunosuppression. Anergy is the most likely mechanism because addition of interleukin 2–reversed anergy in specific T cells. Moreover, cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen (CTLA)-4 plays a critical role in the induction of anergy because we observed that there was increased surface expression of CTLA-4 on anergized T cells, and that injection of anti–CTLA-4 blocking antibody restored anergy in vivo.
Key Words: T cell tolerance • autoimmunity • transgenic mice • CTLA-4 • antigen presentation
A portion of this paper was presented as a poster in Immunology 2000 in Seattle, WA on May 12–16, 2000.
© 2001 The Rockefeller University Press
CiteULike 
Complore 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us 
Digg 
Facebook 
Reddit 
Technorati 
Twitter What's this?
| TABLE OF CONTENTS |
|
