Immune responses to antigens of human endogenous retroviruses in patients with acute or stable multiple sclerosis

J Neuroimmunol. 1999 Oct 29;99(2):173-82. doi: 10.1016/s0165-5728(99)00123-x.

Abstract

A possible role for human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) in the pathogenesis of MS was investigated by analyzing HERV peptides-stimulated proliferation and cytokine production in MS patients with acute (AMS) or stable (SMS) disease. HERV peptides specific-proliferation and type 1 cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells was observed in AMS but not in SMS individuals, in whom a type 2 cytokine profile dominates. HERV peptides-stimulated immune responses were modified by changes in disease expression; mediated by CD4+ T lymphocytes; and not related to HLA class II molecules. These data suggest the possibility of a pathogenic role for HERV and HERV-specific immune responses in MS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology
  • Autoantibodies / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cross Reactions
  • Endogenous Retroviruses / immunology*
  • Female
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / biosynthesis
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular / immunology
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-10 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-2 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-4 / biosynthesis
  • Male
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / virology*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Tetanus Toxoid / immunology
  • Tetanus Toxoid / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral
  • Autoantibodies
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Interleukin-2
  • Tetanus Toxoid
  • Interleukin-10
  • Interleukin-4
  • Interferon-gamma