Figure 5
From: Increased CD8+ T cell responses to apoptotic T cell-associated antigens in multiple sclerosis
Cerebrospinal fluid-derived apoptotic epitope-specific CD8 + T cells producing IL-17 are correlated with disability in multiple sclerosis. (A) Representative flow cytometry analysis of an antigen-specific T cell line obtained upon 30 days of stimulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-derived mononuclear cells with the non-muscle myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9)741-749 epitope and IL-2. Cells were stained with mAb to CD8, the indicated dextramers, and were then stimulated or not with the relevant soluble peptide plus anti-CD28 mAb for detecting IL-17 and IFN-γ production by intracellular staining (ICS) assay. Contour plot analyses are gated on CD8+dextramer+ cells and show percentages of cytokine-producing cells. (B) Percentage of CSF-derived MYH9741-749-specific T cell lines obtained from seven multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, as indicated in (A) producing IL-17 and IFN-γ in response to the relevant apoptotic peptide. CSF-derived T cell lines were stained with mAb to CD8, the indicated dextramers, and stimulated or not with the relevant soluble peptide plus anti-CD28 mAb for detecting IL-17 and IFN-γ production by ICS assay. (C) Correlation between percentage of CSF-derived MYH9741-749-specific T cell lines producing IL-17 and disability, as determined by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) (linear regression analysis).