Specific lysis by CD8+ T cells of Schwann cells expressing Mycobacterium leprae antigens

Abstract

In vitro cultured murine Schwann cells which were devoid of class I and class II gene products of the major histocompatibility complex expressed class I, though not class 11, antigens after stimulation with recombinant interferon‐γ. Recombinant 1FN‐γ‐stimulated Schwann cells after priming with M. leprue were lysed by antigen‐specific CD8⁺ T lymphocytes in vitro. These findings suggest that specific lysis of M. leprae‐infected Schwann cells by CD8⁺CTL plays a role in leprosy.