INVIVO ELIMINATION OF T-CELLS EXPRESSING SPECIFIC T-CELL RECEPTOR-V-BETA CHAINS IN MICE SUSCEPTIBLE TO COLLAGEN-INDUCED ARTHRITIS

Abstract

Type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) is believed to be dependent on T cells expressing a limited number of V.beta. chains. Two different methods were used to selectively eliminate T cells expressing a certain T-cell receptor (TcR) V.beta. chain in mouse strains susceptible to CIA. In vivo treatment with monoclonal anti-V.beta.6 or anti-V.beta.8.1,2 antibodies did not alter CIA, despite a reduction of the major part of the V.beta.6+ or V.beta.8.1,2+ lymph node cells (LNC), as measured by flow cytometric (FACS) analyses. The reduction was not due to complete elimination of V.beta.6+ or V.beta.8.1,2+ cells, since part of the V.beta.6 and V.beta.8.1,2 expressing cells returned later, even in mice that had been thymectomized first to prevent maturation of new T cells. In contrast, treatment with antibodies against CD4 efficiently abrogated development of CIA. In the (CBA .times. DBA/1J)F1 and the (BALB/c .times. DBA/1J)F1 mice, where M1s1a was combined with expression of I-E, the V.beta.6+ LNC were deleted. In spite of the deletion, both F1 strains were highly susceptible to CIA.