Vβ8+ T cells protect from demyelinating disease in a viral model of multiple sclerosis

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Abstract
Previous studies illustrated the influence of T cell subsets on susceptibility or resistance to demyelination in the Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) model of multiple sclerosis. Genetic segregation analysis showed a correlation with disease phenotype in this model with particular Vβ genes. In this study we investigated the contribution of specific Vβ TCR to the pathogenesis of virus-induced demyelinating disease. Spectratype analysis of cells infiltrating the CNS early in infection demonstrated an over-representation of Vβ8+ T cells in mice expressing a susceptible H-2 haplotype. We infected transgenic mice expressing the Vβ8.2 TCR directed against a non-TMEV antigen and found an increase in demyelinating disease in mice of either susceptible or resistant background compared with littermate controls. In addition, depletion studies with an anti-Vβ8-specific antibody in both susceptible (B10.Q) and resistant (C57BL/6) mice resulted in increased demyelination. TCR analysis of VP2-specific cytotoxic T cell clones from mice with a resistant genotype identified only the Vβ8.1 TCR, suggesting that limited T cell diversity is critical to TMEV clearance. Together, these results support a protective role for Vβ8+ T cells in virus-induced demyelinating disease.