Differential activation of human autoreactive T cell clones by altered peptide ligands derived from myelin basic protein peptide (87–99)

We have examined the functional consequences induced by interaction of DR2a-restricted myelin basic protein (MBP) (87–99)-specific T cell clones (TCC) with altered peptide ligands (APL) derived from MBP peptide (87–99). The immunodominant MBP peptide (87–99) has been implicated as a candidate antigen in multiple sclerosis (MS) by several lines of evidence. In the present study, we have defined the T cell receptor (TCR) contact residues for DR2a-restricted, (87–99)-specific T helper type 1 T cells to design APL suitable to modify the functions of such T cells potentially relevant for the pathogenesis of MS. We show that neutral (L-alanine substitutions) or conservative exchanges of the primary and secondary TCR contact residues lead to various alterations of T cell function, ranging from differences in interleukin-2 receptor up-regulation to anergy induction and TCR antagonism. The potential usefulness of APL as an immunomodulating therapy for DR2⁺ MS patients is discussed.