T cell deletion in high antigen dose therapy of autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Critchfield, J M; Racke, M K; Zúñiga-Pflücker, J C; Cannella, B; Raine, C S; Goverman, J; Lenardo, M J · Science · 1994

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Encounters with antigen can stimulate T cells to become activated and proliferate, become nonresponsive to antigen, or to die. T cell death was shown to be a physiological response to interleukin-2-stimulated cell cycling and T cell receptor reengagement at high antigen doses. This feedback regulatory mechanism attenuates the immune response by deleting a portion of newly dividing, antigen-reactive T cells. This mechanism deleted autoreactive T cells and abrogated the clinical and pathological signs of autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice after repetitive administration of myelin basic protein.

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