The JI
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
 QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     
 


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Vandenbark, A. A.
Right arrow Articles by Burrows, G. G.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Vandenbark, A. A.
Right arrow Articles by Burrows, G. G.
Right arrowPubmed/NCBI databases
*Substance via MeSH
The Journal of Immunology, 2003, 171: 127-133.
Copyright © 2003 by The American Association of Immunologists

Recombinant TCR Ligand Induces Tolerance to Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein 35-55 Peptide and Reverses Clinical and Histological Signs of Chronic Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in HLA-DR2 Transgenic Mice1

Arthur A. Vandenbark2,*,{dagger},{ddagger}, Cathleen Rich*, Jeff Mooney*, Alex Zamora*,{dagger}, Chunhe Wang*,{dagger}, Jianya Huan*,{dagger}, Lars Fugger§, Halina Offner*,{dagger}, Richard Jones*,{dagger} and Gregory G. Burrows*,{dagger}

* Neuroimmunology Research and Tykeson Multiple Sclerosis Research Laboratory, Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239; Departments of {dagger} Neurology and {ddagger} Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239; § Department of Clinical Immunology, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby Sygehus, Aarhus, Denmark; and Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, U.K.


    Abstract
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
In a previous study, we demonstrated that myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-35-55 peptide could induce severe chronic experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in HLA-DR2+ transgenic mice lacking all mouse MHC class II genes. We used this model to evaluate clinical efficacy and mechanism of action of a novel recombinant TCR ligand (RTL) comprised of the {alpha}1 and {beta}1 domains of DR2 (DRB1*1501) covalently linked to the encephalitogenic MOG-35-55 peptide (VG312). We found that the MOG/DR2 VG312 RTL could induce long-term tolerance to MOG-35-55 peptide and reverse clinical and histological signs of EAE in a dose- and peptide-dependent manner. Some mice treated with lower doses of VG312 relapsed after cessation of daily treatment, but the mice could be successfully re-treated with a higher dose of VG312. Treatment with VG312 strongly reduced secretion of Th1 cytokines (TNF-{alpha} and IFN-{gamma}) produced in response to MOG-35-55 peptide, and to a lesser degree purified protein derivative and Con A, but had no inhibitory effect on serum Ab levels to MOG-35-55 peptide. Abs specific for both the peptide and MHC moieties of the RTLs were also present after treatment with EAE, but these Abs had only a minor enhancing effect on T cell activation in vitro. These data demonstrate the powerful tolerance-inducing therapeutic effects of VG312 on MOG peptide-induced EAE in transgenic DR2 mice and support the potential of this approach to inhibit myelin Ag-specific responses in multiple sclerosis patients.


    Introduction
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Transgenic (Tg)3 mice expressing HLA class II molecules have provided a precise testing ground for screening disease-associated T cell determinants (1, 2). HLA-DR4-restricted T cell responses, and in some cases clinical signs of autoimmune disease, were demonstrated after immunization with type II collagen (3, 4, 5), human cartilage Ag gp39 (6), glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (7, 8), insulin (9), and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-91-108 peptide (10). HLA-DR2+ mice have also been developed that were susceptible to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced by myelin basic protein (MBP)-85-99 peptide (11), proteolipid protein-95-116 peptide (12), and MOG-35-55 peptide (A. A. Vandenbark, C. Rich, A. Zamora, H. Jacobsen, H. Offner, R. Jones, and L. Fugger, manuscript in preparation). Of many myelin determinants that might serve as target T cell epitopes in multiple sclerosis (MS), the MOG-35-55 peptide is of particular interest. MOG appears to be recognized frequently by T cells from MS patients (13, 14), and the MOG-35-55 peptide has been shown to be highly encephalitogenic in rats and mice on different MHC class II backgrounds (14, 15, 16, 17) and in Rhesus monkeys (18, 19).

One approach to regulating Ag-specific T cell responses to encephalitogenic peptides is to induce nonresponsiveness using TCR ligands containing extracellular domains of class II MHC molecules linked to specific peptide targets. Several such constructs have been developed that involve natural or recombinant {alpha}1{alpha}2 and {beta}1{beta}2 MHC class II domains in association with various encephalitogenic or other pathogenic peptides that were either linked covalently or bound noncovalently (20, 21, 22, 23, 24). These molecular complexes bind not only to the TCR but also to the CD4 molecule on the T cell surface through the {beta} 2 MHC domain (25) and were found to inhibit T cell activation and prevent EAE in rodents (22, 26, 27). Our design includes only the minimal TCR interface, which involves only the {alpha}1 and {beta} 1 MHC domains without CD4 binding covalently linked to peptide (28). These constructs can prevent and treat MBP-induced EAE in Lewis rats (29, 30) and inhibit activation and induce IL-10 secretion in human DR2-restricted T cell clones specific for MBP-85-99 or BCR-ABL b3a2 peptide (CABL) peptides (31, 32). To further evaluate the inhibitory activity and mechanism of the effects of recombinant TCR ligand (RTL) on encephalitogenic T cells in vivo, we designed a MOG-35-55/DR2 construct (VG312) for testing in DR2 mice undergoing MOG peptide-induced EAE. Our results demonstrate potent inhibitory activity resulting in immunological tolerance to the encephalitogenic MOG-35-55 peptide and reversal of clinical and histological signs of EAE.


    Materials and Methods
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Mice

HLA-DR2 Tg mice bearing chimeric MHC class II molecules were developed as previously described (33). The peptide-binding domain of MHC class II is encoded by human sequences, whereas the membrane proximal portion including the CD4-binding domain is encoded by mouse sequences (DR{alpha} 1*0101: I-E{alpha}, and DR{beta}1*1501: I-E{beta}). The DR{alpha}1*0101: I-E{alpha} construct was kindly provided by Dr. D. M. Zaller (Merck Research Laboratories, Rahway, NJ). The DR{beta}1*1501: I-E{beta} construct was made essentially as described by Woods et al. (33) with the following changes: the < bx;1>pACYC184 vector containing the DRB1*0401 exons 1 and 2 and the E{beta}d exons 3–6 were partially digested with BamHI and treated with Klenow polymerase to remove a BamHI site in the vector. Subsequently, DRB1*1501 exon 2 was cloned into pACYC184, which had been predigested with BamHI and EcoRI to remove DRB1*0401 exon 2. Tg mice were generated by microinjecting the chimeric {alpha}- and {beta}-chain constructs into fertilized eggs from (DBA/2 x C57BL/6)F1 matings. Viable embryos were transferred into pseudo-pregnant females for development to term. Tg offspring were backcrossed twice to the MHC class II knockout mouse, MHCII{Delta}{Delta} (34).

Antigens

Mouse MOG-35-55 peptide (MEVGWYRSPFSRVVHLYRNGK) was synthesized using solid-phase techniques and purified by HPLC at the Beckman Institute, Stanford University (Palo Alto, CA). Purified protein derivative (PPD) was purchased from the Staten Serum Institute (Copenhagen, Denmark). Con A was purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, MO).

Construction of RTLs

Single chain human RTLs of ~200 aa residues derived from HLA-DR2b were designed using the same principles as for rat RTLs (28) and have been produced in Escherichia coli with and without amino-terminal extensions containing antigenic peptides (32). Similar to the rat constructs, human RTLs exhibited a cooperative two-state thermal unfolding transition, and DR2-derived RTLs with a covalently linked MBP-85-99 peptide or mouse MOG-35-55 peptide showed increased stability to thermal unfolding relative to the empty DR2-derived RTLs.

Induction of active EAE and treatment with RTLs

Tg HLA-DR2 male and female mice between 8 and 12 wk of age were immunized s.c. as described (17) at four sites on the flanks with 0.2 ml of an emulsion comprised of 200 µg of mouse MOG-35-55 peptide in CFA containing 400 µg of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37RA (Difco, Detroit, MI). In addition, mice were given pertussis toxin (Ptx) from List Biological Laboratories (Campbell, CA) on days 0 and 2 postimmunization (25 and 67 ng per mouse, respectively). Mice were treated i.v. daily for 8 days, beginning 2–4 days after onset of clinical signs, with 100 µl of VG312 (MOG-35-55 peptide/DR2), VG303 (MBP-85-99 peptide/DR2), VG311 (CABL peptide/DR2), or vehicle (Tris, pH 8.5) containing 0–100 µg of various RTL proteins. Actively immunized mice were assessed daily for clinical signs of EAE according to the following scale: 0 = normal; 1 = limp tail or mild hind limb weakness; 2 = limp tail and moderate hind limb weakness or mild ataxia; 3 = limp tail and moderately severe hind limb weakness; 4 = limp tail and severe hind limb weakness or mild forelimb weakness or moderate ataxia; 5 = limp tail and paraplegia with no more than moderate forelimb weakness; and 6 = limp tail and paraplegia with severe forelimb weakness or severe ataxia or moribund condition. The average daily score was determined for each group of mice by summing the individual scores and dividing by the number of mice in the group. Mice that occasionally die from severe EAE are given a score of 6 and are included in the daily score. The cumulative disease index (CDI) was determined by summing the daily clinical scores for each mouse. The mean peak scores, the average daily scores, and the CDI scores ± SD were calculated for the control and experimental groups and were evaluated for statistical differences using the Kruskal-Wallis test for multivariant analyses of nonparametric comparisons.

Proliferation assay

Draining lymph node (LN) cells from HLA-DR2 Tg mice were recovered at the indicated time points following immunization and processed into single-cell suspensions. T cell proliferation responses were assessed by plating 4 x 105 cells per well in a 96-well flat-bottom tissue culture plate in stimulation medium alone (control) or in the presence of Ags. Cultures were incubated for 72 h at 37°C in 7% CO2. Wells were pulsed for the final 18 h with 0.5 µCi per well [3H]thymidine (Amersham, Arlington Heights, IL). The cells were harvested onto glass fiber filters, and [3H]thymidine uptake was measured using a liquid scintillation counter (1205 Betaplate; Wallac, Turku, Finland). Mean cpm ± SD were calculated for triplicate wells.

Cytometric bead array

TNF-{alpha}, IFN-{gamma}, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-5 were simultaneously detected in supernatants from the indicated cell source using the mouse Th1/Th2 cytokine cytometric bead array kit from BD Biosciences (San Jose, CA). A total of 50 µl of supernatant, 50 µl of a mixture of capture beads, and 50 µl of Th1/Th2 PE detection reagent were combined and incubated for 2 h at room temperature in the dark. The samples were washed, resuspended in ~200 µl of wash buffer, and analyzed by flow cytometry (FACSCalibur; BD Biosciences). Standard curves were generated for each cytokine using a mixed bead standard to interpolate the concentration of cytokine in the cell supernatant in picograms per milliliter.

IL-10 ELISA

Cell culture supernatants collected on day 2 were frozen at -80°C and later evaluated for the presence of IL-10 as described in the IL-10 ELISA kit (Quantikine M; R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN). Developed plates were read on a kinetic microplate reader (Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, CA) and quantified using a standard curve.

Assessment of Ab response to peptide Ags by indirect ELISA

Sera were isolated from individual animals, pooled, and frozen at - 80°C. ELISA plates (Nunc Maxisorp; Nalge Nunc International, Roskilde, Denmark) were coated with 10 µg/ml mouse MOG-35-55 peptide in 100 µl of PBS overnight at 4°C. Plates were then washed with 1x PBS/0.05% Tween 20 and blocked with 200 µl of 1x PBS/3%BSA/0.05% Tween 20 for 2 h at 37°C. Plates were washed, and 100 µl of diluted sera (1:25, 1:50, 1:100, 1:200, or 1:500) was added in triplicate and incubated at 37°C for 2 h. Plates were washed, and plate-bound Ab was detected with anti-mouse IgG H and L chain conjugated to streptavidin-HRP (Bethyl Laboratories, Montgomery, TX). Plates were developed for ~10 min in the dark using 3,3'5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine as a substrate (Kirkegaard & Perry Laboratories, Gaithersburg, MD). The reaction was stopped using tetramethylbenzidine stop solution, and the plates were immediately read at 490 nm on a kinetic microplate reader (Molecular Devices).

Histopathology

The intact spinal cord was removed from mice euthanized 24–38 days after induction of EAE and fixed in 10% phosphate-buffered formalin. The spinal cords were dissected after fixation and embedded in paraffin before sectioning. The sections were stained with either Luxol fast blue/periodic acid-Schiff’s reagent or H&E and analyzed by light microscopy. Semiquantitative analysis of inflammation and demyelination was determined by examining at least 10 sections from each mouse.


    Results
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Peptide- and dose-dependent inhibition of MOG-induced EAE in 1501 mice

As recently described (A. A. Vandenbark, C. Rich, A. Zamora, H. Jacobsen, H. Offner, R. Jones, and L. Fugger, manuscript in preparation), MOG-35-55-induced EAE in Tg DR2 (DRB1*1501) mice is characterized as a moderately severe chronic disease affecting 100% of the mice with ascending paralysis marked by inflammatory, demyelinating CNS lesions. EAE was induced with MOG-35-55 peptide/CFA on day 0 plus Ptx on days 0 and 2. The initial signs of disease could be observed beginning ~10 days after induction. To evaluate the clinical potential of human DR2-restricted RTLs, we treated Tg DR2 mice with MOG-induced EAE 2–4 days after onset of clinical signs with VG312 (MOG-35-55/DR2) or control constructs containing different DR2-restricted peptides, VG303 (MBP-85-99/DR2) or VG311 (CABL-peptide/DR2) (31, 32). Each construct was produced and characterized in an identical manner as described. The treatment regimen involved daily i.v. injections of 100, 33, or 10 µg of the indicated construct in 100 µl of Tris buffer, or Tris buffer alone (vehicle) for 8 consecutive days.

As shown in Fig. 1, treatment with VG312 at doses of 100 or 33 µg/injection rapidly reversed established clinical signs of EAE (score ~2.5) to an average daily score of <0.5 U by the end of the 8-day treatment period (combined data from four separate experiments). This low degree of disability was maintained without further RTL injections over the remainder of the observation period, which in one experiment lasted for 5 wk after treatment was stopped. In contrast to the reversal of EAE mediated by the higher doses of VG312, control groups receiving vehicle or 100 µg/injection VG303 (MBP-85-99/DR2) or VG311 (CABL-peptide/DR2) developed moderately severe chronic EAE (score of 4). The clinical improvement observed in VG312-treated mice was reflected by a marked reduction of inflammatory lesions and demyelination in spinal cord tissue (Fig. 2).



View larger version (31K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIGURE 1. Peptide specificity of RTL treatment of clinical EAE in Tg DR2 mice. Mean clinical scores ± SEM of Tg DR2 mice treated with VG312 (MOG-35-55/DR2), VG311 (CABL-peptide/DR2), VG303 (MBP-85-99/DR2), or vehicle (Tris, pH 8.5). All mice were immunized s.c. with 200 µg of mMOG-35-55 peptide and 400 µg of CFA plus 25 ng of Ptx i.v. on day 0, and 66.7 ng of Ptx on day 2 postimmunization. After onset of clinical EAE, mice were injected i.v. daily with 100 µl containing 100 or 33 µg of VG312, 100 µg of VG311 or VG303, or vehicle for 8 consecutive days. Mice in all groups were scored daily for clinical signs of EAE. Data are pooled from four separate experiments. Clinical data, including the CDI that represents the mean of the sum of the daily EAE scores, are also presented for each treatment group.

 


View larger version (124K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIGURE 2. VG312 treatment reduces lesion formation in spinal cord. Spinal cords were collected and processed from treated and control Tg DR2 mice 24 days after induction of EAE with mMOG-35-55 peptide/CFA plus Ptx. Luxol fast blue/periodic acid-Schiff’s reagent/hematoxylin-stained paraffin-embedded spinal cord sections (6 µm) from representative RTL-treated (A and B) and vehicle treated (C and D) DR2 mice following induction of EAE are shown. Upon examination of four to seven sections per mouse, RTL312-treated mice showed very little or no evidence of inflammation and demyelination compared with vehicle-treated mice. Magnification: x12.5 on a 35 mm negative before printing (A and C) or x50 on a 35 mm negative before printing (B and D).

 
As shown in Fig. 3, treatment of EAE in Tg DR2 mice with VG312 was dose dependent. Similar to the 100- and 33-µg doses of VG312, the 10-µg dose of VG312 also reduced the clinical score to baseline after the first course of eight injections. However, unlike mice receiving the higher doses of VG312 that experienced long-lasting clinical benefit, two of the three mice in the 10-µg group in Fig. 3 and three of the four mice treated with 10 µg of VG312 in a repeat experiment relapsed after treatment was stopped. One relapsed mouse from this group was re-treated with three injections of 33 µg VG312, resulting in clinical improvement from a score of 4 to a score of 2 (Fig. 4). This mouse experienced signs of hypersensitivity (see below), and therefore was given antihistamine at the same time as the second course of VG312. As an additional control, Tg DR2 mice with EAE were treated with 10 or 3.3 µg of free MOG-35-55 peptide, which represents the same molar equivalence of MOG-35-55 peptide found in the 100- and 33-µg dose of VG312. Free peptide at both concentrations reduced clinical scores of EAE to baseline during the first course of eight treatments, but in both cases some of the mice experienced relapses within 2 days after the course of treatment was completed (Fig. 5).



View larger version (30K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIGURE 3. Dose-dependent treatment of clinical EAE in Tg DR2 mice with VG312. Mean clinical scores of mice treated with different concentrations of VG312 or vehicle. All mice were immunized s.c. with 200 µg of mMOG35-55 and 400 µg of CFA plus 25 ng of Ptx i.v. on day 0, and 66.7 ng of Ptx 2 days postimmunization. On day 10, mice were distributed into four groups according to similarity in disease score and gender, and were injected i.v. daily for 8 days with 100 µl of vehicle (Tris buffer) alone or containing 100, 33, or 10 µg of VG312. Mice were scored for clinical signs of EAE for the duration of the experiment. Note relapses in the 10-µg group. Data are representative of two such experiments.

 


View larger version (24K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIGURE 4. Re-treatment of a relapsed mouse with VG312. Clinical course of the three mice treated with 10 µg of VG312. One mouse did not relapse after cessation of treatment, whereas a second mouse relapsed and died from severe EAE. The third mouse relapsed and was re-treated with three daily injections of 33 µg of VG312, resulting in clinical improvement.

 


View larger version (22K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIGURE 5. Soluble MOG-35-55 peptide administered at levels equivalent to the peptide in the VG312 RTL are not as effective as the RTLs. Treatment with 100 µg of VG312, 100 µg of VG303, 10 µg of free peptide (equivalent to the amount of linked peptide in the 100-µg dose of VG312), and 3.3 µg of free peptide (equivalent to the amount of linked peptide in the 33-µg dose of VG312) or vehicle were injected for 8 days beginning on day 12 after disease induction (when disease scores were ~3). Note relapses in both free peptide treatment groups.

 
Treatment of EAE with VG312 inhibits MOG-35-55-specific T cell proliferation and secretion of inflammatory cytokines

To evaluate the effects of VG312 treatment, LN cells were collected and tested for T cell responses to the encephalitogenic MOG-35-55 peptide. As shown in Fig. 6, the proliferation responses of LN cells from VG312-treated mice stimulated ex vivo with three concentrations of MOG-35-55 peptide were profoundly (>90%) inhibited compared with responses of LN cells from vehicle-treated mice. In contrast, treatment with VG312 produced moderate inhibition of responses to PPD (28%) and Con A (34%) (Fig. 6). Surprisingly, T cell proliferation responses appeared to be enhanced at the 10- and 2-µg concentrations of MOG-35-55 peptide in Tg DR2 mice treated with VG311 compared with those treated with vehicle (Fig. 6). Of importance mechanistically, addition of IL-2 to unresponsive T cell cultures did not enhance responses to MOG-35-55 peptide or PPD beyond the effects of IL-2 alone (data not shown), indicating that the lack of response to MOG-35-55 peptide was not caused by functional anergy. The strongly reduced T cell proliferation responses to MOG-35-55 peptide were reflected by a concomitant reduction in secretion of TNF-{alpha} and particularly IFN-{gamma} (Fig. 6), as well as IL-2 (data not shown), as measured by cytokine bead analysis. In addition, treatment with VG312 but not VG311 reduced consistently, but to a lesser degree, the secretion of TNF-{alpha}, IFN-{gamma} (Fig. 6), and IL-2 (data not shown) by LN cells stimulated with PPD and Con A, indicating bystander suppression. Other cytokines measured in this assay, including IL-4 and IL-5 as well as IL-10 measured by ELISA, were not detected at significant levels in either the vehicle-treated or VG312-treated mice in response to MOG-35-55 peptide, PPD, or Con A (data not shown).



View larger version (38K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIGURE 6. T cell responses to MOG-35-55 peptide, VG312, and control Ags of LN cells from VG312-, VG311-, or vehicle-treated Tg HLA-DR2 mice. A, T cell proliferation responses were assessed after 72 h of culture. [3H]Thymidine (0.5 µCi) was added during the last 18 h of culture. Data represent net cpm of Ag-stimulated cells minus cells incubated in medium without Ag. These data are representative of three separate experiments. B, Cytokine responses of LN cells assessed after 72 h of culture. Supernatants were removed and assayed for the presence of TNF-{alpha}, IFN-{gamma}, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-5 (cytometric bead array) and IL-10 (ELISA). Data for TNF-{alpha} and IFN-{gamma} represent net cytokine responses (background subtracted) and are representative of three separate experiments. IL-2 levels were much lower in control and treated mice and are not shown. The remaining cytokines were not detected.

 
Immunogenicity of VG312 components after injection in vivo

Although the sequence of VG312 is based on the germline sequences of human HLA-DR2 (DRA:DRB1*1501) and mouse (self) MOG-35-55 peptide, alterations required to generate a single chain RTL construct (e.g., linker regions and amino acid substitutions) might be immunogenic in Tg DR2 mice undergoing treatment for EAE (32). To evaluate immunogenic components of VG312, LN cells and Abs were tested for recognition of VG312, VG311 (with a different bound peptide), VG302 (empty RTL without peptide or linker), and MOG-35-55 peptide. As shown in Fig. 6, LN cells from VG312-treated Tg DR2 mice developed significant proliferation and cytokine responses to VG312, thus indicating that this construct was immunogenic in vivo.

The pattern of serum Ab responses to RTL components revealed a substantial baseline recognition of the empty DR2 moiety (VG302) and VG311 in vehicle-treated mice that was strongly enhanced in VG312 and VG311-treated Tg DR2 mice with EAE (Fig. 7). However, Abs specific for the encephalitogenic MOG-35–55 peptide were also present in VG312- and vehicle-treated mice (Fig. 7). The combination of these components resulted in a vigorous Ab response to the VG312 molecule in VG312- and vehicle-treated mice. Similarly, a vigorous Ab response was observed to VG311 in VG311-treated mice, with Ab recognition of the CABL peptide being present only in antiserum from the VG311-treated mice (data not shown). To further evaluate the possible neutralizing effects of Abs induced in the RTL-treated mice, antisera from various groups of donors were incubated with splenocytes from MOG-35-55-immunized mice in the presence of Con A, PPD, or various dilutions of MOG-35-55 peptide. We found that antiserum from VG312-treated mice did not have any detectable neutralizing effect on T cell responses to MOG-35-55 peptide or control Ags, and may have had a slight enhancing effect compared with antisera from VG303- or vehicle-treated mice (data not shown). No activating effects of these antisera were noted in the absence of Ag or mitogen stimulation.



View larger version (20K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIGURE 7. Serum Ab responses to MOG-35-55 peptide and VG312 components from VG312-, VG311-, and vehicle-treated Tg DR2 mice. MOG-35-55 peptide, VG312 (mMOG-35-55/DR2), VG311 (CABL peptide/DR2), and VG302 (empty DR2 construct) were adsorbed onto ELISA plate wells and incubated with the indicated dilutions of antiserum. Bound Ab was detected by enzyme-labeled anti-human IgG by ELISA.

 

    Discussion
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Our results demonstrate the potent activity of a minimal human TCR ligand to reverse clinical signs of EAE and induce long-term T cell tolerance against the encephalitogenic, DR2-restricted, MOG-35-55 peptide in Tg mice uniquely expressing this MS-associated HLA-DR2 allele. Immunization of the Tg DR2 mice with MOG-35-55 peptide induced strong T cell responses, perivascular spinal cord lesions with demyelination, and severe chronic signs of EAE, as well as anti-MOG Abs that were apparently not involved in either disease or tolerance induction. Treatment of the Tg DR2 mice after onset of clinical EAE with an 8-day course of daily i.v. injections of 100 or 33 µg of VG312 reversed disease progression to baseline levels, prevented or reversed formation of inflammatory lesions and demyelination, and maintained reduced clinical activity even after cessation of further injections. Treatment with a lower dose of 10 µg of VG312 or molar equivalent doses of free peptide corresponding to the 100- or 33-µg dose of VG312 also reduced clinical signs after the course of eight injections, but clinical benefit was not maintained, and most of these mice (i.e., five of seven mice treated with the 10-µg dose of VG312) had clinical relapses and disease progression. Treatment with control DR2 RTLs linked to other peptides (e.g., MBP-87-99 or CABL-peptide) did not inhibit EAE or affect T cell responses to MOG-35-55 peptide, demonstrating peptide specificity. Finally, re-treatment of relapsed mice with a higher dose of VG312 again produced clinical benefit, although mild signs of hypersensitivity were detected that were easily treated with antihistamines.

The treatment regime with VG312 used in our study profoundly inhibited T cell responses to the encephalitogenic MOG-35-55 peptide, including proliferation and secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-{alpha}, IFN-{gamma}, and IL-2. The Th2 cytokines IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 were not detected in mice developing EAE and were not induced after treatment with VG312. In a previous study using VG303 and VG311 (31), in vitro treatment of human DR2-restricted T cell clones specific for the respective cognate peptides MBP-85-99 and CABL produced partial agonist signaling through the TCR, resulting in default induction of IL-10. Our current study of DR2 mice did not detect any induction of IL-10 in vivo using VG312, thus indicating possible differences in signaling pathways in mouse vs human T cells. However, T cell proliferation and inflammatory cytokine responses to PPD and Con A were moderately to strongly reduced in VG312- vs vehicle-treated mice, indicating possible bystander suppression exerted by VG312. However, it remains to be seen whether the inhibitory mechanism affects bystander T cell responses to other encephalitogenic determinants.

Attempts to overcome possible anergy and thus rescue MOG-35-55-specific T cells with IL-2 did not enhance T cell responses to MOG-35-55 peptide. Yet, nonresponsiveness to the MOG-35-55 peptide persisted for up to 5 wk after cessation of treatment, strongly suggesting either potent suppression or a deleting mechanism. These results are not inconsistent with a mechanism of anergy leading to eventual late apoptosis proposed by Appel, Wucherpfennig, and colleagues (35) to explain inhibition of human T cells with four-domain DR2/MBP-85-99 dimers.

The DR2 RTL constructs were found to be immunogenic in the treated DR2 mice, inducing both T cell and Ab responses, primarily to the covalently linked highly antigenic MOG-35-55 peptide. However, some T cell and Ab reactivity was directed against the DR2 moiety itself, presumably to minor sequence changes required for correct folding of the single chain construct or to linker sequences attaching the MOG-35-55 peptide to the DR2 moiety or joining the DR{alpha}1 and the DR{beta} 1 domains (32). These T cell and Ab responses did not appear to affect the therapeutic activity of VG312 on EAE. However, antiserum from VG312-treated mice appeared to moderately enhance responses of MOG-specific T cells in vitro compared with antisera from VG303- or vehicle-treated mice, suggesting some Ab recognition of the MOG peptide/DR2 complex that facilitated activation.

In conclusion, our study demonstrates for the first time the potent therapeutic effects of a rationally designed minimal TCR ligand in a humanized model of EAE. These results strongly support the application of this novel class of peptide/MHC class II constructs, and specifically the VG312 construct directed against the DR2-restricted MOG-35-55 peptide for treatment of T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases such as MS.


    Acknowledgments
 
We thank Eva Niehaus for assistance with preparing the manuscript.


    Footnotes
 
1 This work was supported by Department of Veterans Affairs, National Institutes of Health Grant NS41965, The Nancy Davis Center Without Walls, and Virogenomics. Back

2 Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Arthur A. Vandenbark, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, R&D-31, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Road, Post Office Box 1034, Portland, OR 97239. Back

3 Abbreviations used in this paper: Tg, transgenic; MOG, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein; EAE, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis; RTL, recombinant TCR ligand; PPD, purified protein derivative; MBP, myelin basic protein; MS, multiple sclerosis; CDI, cumulative disease index; LN, lymph node; Ptx, pertussis toxin; CABL, BCR-ABL b3a2 peptide. Back

Received for publication February 2, 2003. Accepted for publication April 28, 2003.


    References
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 

  1. Taneja, V., C. S. David. 1998. HLA transgenic mice as humanized mouse models of disease and immunity. J. Clin. Invest. 101:921.[Medline]
  2. Sonderstrup, G., A. P. Cope, S. Patel, M. Congia, N. Hain, F. C. Hall, S. L. Parry, L. H. Fugger, S. Michie, H. O. McDevitt. 1999. HLA class II transgenic mice: models of the human CD4+ T-cell immune response. Immunol. Rev. 172:335.[Medline]
  3. Rosloniec, E. F., D. D. Brand, L. K. Myers, Y. Esaki, K. B. Whittington, D. M. Zaller, A. Woods, J. M. Stuart, A. H. Kang. 1998. Induction of autoimmune arthritis in HLA-DR4 (DRB1*0401) transgenic mice by immunization with human and bovine type II collagen. J. Immunol. 160:2573.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  4. Andersson, E. C., B. E. Hansen, H. Jacobsen, L. S. Madsen, C. B. Andersen, J. Engberg, J. B. Rothbard, G. S. McDevitt, V. Malmstrom, R. Holmdahl, et al 1998. Definition of MHC and T cell receptor contacts in the HLA-DR4 restricted immunodominant epitope in type II collagen and characterization of collagen-induced arthritis in HLA-DR4 and human CD4 transgenic mice. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95:7574.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  5. Fugger, L., J. Rothbard, G. S. McDevitt. 1996. Specificity of an HLA-DRB1*0401 restricted T cell response to type II collagen. Eur. J. Immunol. 26:928.[Medline]
  6. Cope, A. P., S. D. Patel, F. Hall, M. Congia, H. A. Hubers, G. F. Verheijden, A. M. Boots, R. Menon, M. Trucco, A. W. Rijnders, G. Sonderstrup. 1999. T cell responses to a human cartilage autoantigen in the context of rheumatoid arthritis-associated and nonassociated HLA-DR4 alleles. Arthritis Rheum. 42:1497.[Medline]
  7. Patel, S. D., A. P. Cope, M. Congia, T. T. Chen, E. Kim, L. Fugger, D. Wherrett, G. S. McDevitt. 1997. Identification of immunodominant T cell epitopes of human glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 using HLA-DR ({alpha}*0101, {beta}*0401) transgenic mice. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95:8082.
  8. Wicker, L. S., S. L. Chen, G. T. Nepom, J. F. Elliot, D. C. Freed, A. Bansal, S. Zheng, A. Herman, A. Lemmark, D. M. Zaller. 1996. Naturally processed T cell epitopes from human glutamic acid decarboxylase identified using mice transgenic for the type 1 diabetes-associated human MHC class II allele, DRB1*0401. J. Clin. Invest. 98:2597.[Medline]
  9. Congia, M., S. D. Patel, A. P. Cope, S. DeVirgiliis, G. Sonderstrup. 1998. The T cell epitopes of insulin defined in HLA-DR4 transgenic mice are derived from the pro-hormones preproinsulin and proinsulin. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95:3833.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  10. Forsthuber, T. G., C. L. Shive, W. Wienhold, K. deGraaf, E. G. Spack, R. Sublett, A. Melms, J. Kort, M. K. Racke, R. Weissert. 2001. T cell epitopes of human myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein identified in HLA-DR4 (DRB1*0401) transgenic mice are encephalitogenic and are presented by human B cells. J. Immunol. 167:7119.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  11. Madsen, L. S., E. C. Andersson, L. Jansson, M. Krogsgaard, C. B. Andersen, J. Engberg, J. L. Strominger, A. Svejgaard, J. P. Hjorth, R. Holmdahl, et al 1999. A humanized model for multiple sclerosis using HLA-DR2 and a human T-cell receptor. Nat. Genet. 23:343.[Medline]
  12. Kawamura, K., T. Yamamura, K. Yokoyama, C.-H. Chui, Y. Fukui, T. Sasazuki, H. Inoko, C. S. David, T. Tabira. 2000. HLA-DR2-restricted responses to proteolipid protein 95–116 peptide cause autoimmune encephalitis in transgenic mice. J. Clin. Invest. 105:977.[Medline]
  13. KerlerodeRosbo, N., R. Milo, M. B. Lees, D. Burger, C. C. Bernard, A. Ben-Nun. 1993. Reactivity to myelin antigens in multiple sclerosis: peripheral blood lymphocytes respond predominantly to myelin oligodendrocyte glocyoprotein. J. Clin. Invest. 92:2602.
  14. Hellings, N., M. Baree, C. Verhoeven, M. B. D’hooghe, R. Medaer, C. C. Bernard, J. Raus, P. Stinissen. 2001. T-cell reactivity to multiple myelin antigens in multiple sclerosis patients and healthy controls. J. Neurosci. Res. 63:290.[Medline]
  15. Johns, T. G., N. KerlerodeRosbo, K. K. Menon, S. Abo, M. F. Gonzales, C. C. Bernard. 1995. Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein induces a demyelinating encephalomyelitis resembling multiple sclerosis. J. Immunol. 154:5536.[Abstract]
  16. Slavin, A., C. Ewing, J. Liu, M. Ichikawa, J. Slavin, C. C. Bernard. 1998. Induction of a multiple sclerosis-like disease in mice with an immunodominant epitope of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. Autoimmunity 28:109.[Medline]
  17. Ito, A., J. B. F. Bebo, A. Matejuk, A. Zamora, M. Silverman, A. Fyfe-Johnson, H. Offner. 2001. Estrogen treatment down-regulates TNF-{alpha} production and reduces the severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in cytokine knockout mice. J. Immunol. 167:542.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  18. KerlerodeRosbo, N., A. Ben-Nun. 1998. T-cell responses to myelin antigens in multiple sclerosis: relevance of the predominant autoimmune reactivity to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. J. Autoimmun. 11:287.[Medline]
  19. KerlerodeRosbo, N., H. P. Brok, J. Bauer, J. F. Kaye, B. A. ’tHart, A. Ben-Nun. 2000. Rhesus monkeys are highly susceptible to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis induced by myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein: characterisation of immunodominant T- and B-cell epitopes. J. Neuroimmunol. 110:83.[Medline]
  20. Kozono, H., J. White, J. Clements, P. Marrack, J. Kappler. 1994. Production of soluble MHC class II proteins with covalently bound single peptides. Nature 369:151.[Medline]
  21. Fremont, D. H., W. A. Hendrickson, P. Marrack, J. Kappler. 1996. Structures of an MHC class II molecule with covalently bound single peptides. Science 272:1001.[Abstract]
  22. Sharma, S., B. Nag, E. Spack. 1991. Antigen-specific therapy of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis by soluble class II major histocompatibility complex peptide complex. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:11405.
  23. Nicolle, M., B. Nag, S. Sharma. 1994. Specific tolerance to an acetylcholine receptor epitope induced in vitro in myasthenia gravis CD4+ lymphocytes by soluble major histocompatibility complex class II-peptide complexes. J. Clin. Invest. 93:1361.
  24. Spack, E. G., N. G. Wehner, J. L. Winkelhake. 1998. Preclinical and pharmacological studies of AG284, a soluble HLA-DR2:myelin basic protein peptide complex for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. CNS Drug Rev. 4:225.
  25. Brogdon, J., D. D. Eckels, C. Davies, S. White, C. Doyle. 1998. A site for CD4 binding in the {beta}1 domain of the MHC class II protein HLA-DR1. J. Immunol. 161:5472.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  26. Spack, E., M. McCutcheon, N. Cobelletta, B. Nag, D. Passmore, S. Sharma. 1995. Induction of tolerance in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis with solubilized MHC class II:acetylcholine receptor complexes. J. Autoimmun. 8:787.[Medline]
  27. Stewart, M. A., M. B. Dunsavage, J. Islar, P. Mukku, B. Nag, E.-P. Reich. 1997. Immunotherapy that prevents diabetes in NOD mice: soluble MHC class II + GAD 65 peptide. J. Allerg. Clin. Immun. 2:S117.
  28. Burrows, G. G., J. W. Chang, H.-P. Bachinger, D. N. Bourdette, H. Offner, A. A. Vandenbark. 1999. Design, engineering and production of functional single-chain T cell receptor ligands. Prot. Eng. 12:771.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  29. Burrows, G. G., B. F. Bebo, Jr., K. L. Adlard, A. A. Vandenbark, H. Offner. 1998. Two-domain MHC class II molecules form stable complexes with MBP-69–89 peptide that detect and inhibit rat encephalitogenic T cells and treat experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. J. Immunol. 161:5987.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  30. Burrows, G. G., K. L. Adlard, B. F. Bebo, Jr., J. W. Chang, K. Tenditnyy, A. A. Vandenbark, H. Offner. 2000. Regulation of encephalitogenic T cells with recombinant TCR ligands. J. Immunol. 164:6366.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  31. Burrows, G. G., Y. K. Chou, C. Wang, J. W. Chang, T. P. Finn, N. E. Culbertson, J. Kim, D. N. Bourdette, D. A. Lewinsohn, D. M. Lewinsohn, et al 2001. Rudimentary TCR signaling triggers default IL-10 secretion by human Th1 cells. J. Immunol. 167:4386.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  32. Chang, J. W., D. E. Mechling, H.-P. Bachinger, G. G. Burrows. 2001. Design, engineering, and production of human recombinant T cell receptor ligands derived from human leukocyte antigen DR2. J. Biol. Chem. 276:24170.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  33. Woods, A., H. Y. Chen, M. E. Trumbauer, A. Sirotina, R. Cummings, D. Zaller. 1994. Human major histocompatibility complex class II-restricted T cell responses in transgenic mice. J. Exp. Med. 180:173.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  34. Madsen, L., N. Labrecque, J. Engberg, A. Dierich, A. Svejgaard, C. Benoist, D. Mathis, L. Fugger. 1999. Mice lacking all conventional MHC class II genes. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96:10338.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  35. Appel, H., N. P. Seth, L. Gauthier, K. W. Wucherpfennig. 2001. Anergy induction by dimeric TCR ligands. J. Immunol. 166:5279.[Abstract/Free Full Text]



This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
StrokeHome page
S. Subramanian, B. Zhang, Y. Kosaka, G. G. Burrows, M. R. Grafe, A. A. Vandenbark, P. D. Hurn, and H. Offner
Recombinant T Cell Receptor Ligand Treats Experimental Stroke
Stroke, July 1, 2009; 40(7): 2539 - 2545.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
S. Sinha, S. Subramanian, L. Miller, T. M. Proctor, C. Roberts, G. G. Burrows, A. A. Vandenbark, and H. Offner
Cytokine Switch and Bystander Suppression of Autoimmune Responses to Multiple Antigens in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis by a Single Recombinant T-Cell Receptor Ligand
J. Neurosci., March 25, 2009; 29(12): 3816 - 3823.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
K. W. Wegmann, C. R. Wagner, R. H. Whitham, and D. J. Hinrichs
Synthetic Peptide Dendrimers Block the Development and Expression of Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis
J. Immunol., September 1, 2008; 181(5): 3301 - 3309.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
J. Huan, L. J. Kaler, J. L. Mooney, S. Subramanian, C. Hopke, A. A. Vandenbark, E. F. Rosloniec, G. G. Burrows, and H. Offner
MHC Class II Derived Recombinant T Cell Receptor Ligands Protect DBA/1LacJ Mice from Collagen-Induced Arthritis
J. Immunol., January 15, 2008; 180(2): 1249 - 1257.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
S. Sinha, S. Subramanian, T. M. Proctor, L. J. Kaler, M. Grafe, R. Dahan, J. Huan, A. A. Vandenbark, G. G. Burrows, and H. Offner
A Promising Therapeutic Approach for Multiple Sclerosis: Recombinant T-Cell Receptor Ligands Modulate Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis by Reducing Interleukin-17 Production and Inhibiting Migration of Encephalitogenic Cells into the CNS
J. Neurosci., November 14, 2007; 27(46): 12531 - 12539.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
A. P. Fontenot, T. S. Keizer, M. McCleskey, D. G. Mack, R. Meza-Romero, J. Huan, D. M. Edwards, Y. K. Chou, A. A. Vandenbark, B. Scott, et al.
Recombinant HLA-DP2 Binds Beryllium and Tolerizes Beryllium-Specific Pathogenic CD4+ T Cells
J. Immunol., September 15, 2006; 177(6): 3874 - 3883.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
B. Dzhambazov, K. S. Nandakumar, J. Kihlberg, L. Fugger, R. Holmdahl, and M. Vestberg
Therapeutic Vaccination of Active Arthritis with a Glycosylated Collagen Type II Peptide in Complex with MHC Class II Molecules
J. Immunol., February 1, 2006; 176(3): 1525 - 1533.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
H. Offner, S. Subramanian, C. Wang, M. Afentoulis, A. A. Vandenbark, J. Huan, and G. G. Burrows
Treatment of Passive Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in SJL Mice with a Recombinant TCR Ligand Induces IL-13 and Prevents Axonal Injury
J. Immunol., September 15, 2005; 175(6): 4103 - 4111.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Clin. Cancer Res.Home page
E. N. Klyushnenkova, J. Link, W. T. Oberle, J. Kodak, C. Rich, A. A. Vandenbark, and R. B. Alexander
Identification of HLA-DRB1*1501-Restricted T-cell Epitopes from Prostate-Specific Antigen
Clin. Cancer Res., April 15, 2005; 11(8): 2853 - 2861.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
J. Huan, S. Subramanian, R. Jones, C. Rich, J. Link, J. Mooney, D. N. Bourdette, A. A. Vandenbark, G. G. Burrows, and H. Offner
Monomeric Recombinant TCR Ligand Reduces Relapse Rate and Severity of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in SJL/J Mice through Cytokine Switch
J. Immunol., April 1, 2004; 172(7): 4556 - 4566.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Vandenbark, A. A.
Right arrow Articles by Burrows, G. G.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Vandenbark, A. A.
Right arrow Articles by Burrows, G. G.
Right arrowPubmed/NCBI databases
*Substance via MeSH


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS