Biased t cell receptor vβ gene usage during specific stages of the development of autoimmune sialadenitis in the mrl/lpr mouse model of Sjögren's syndrome

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Abstract
Objective. To analyze the repertoire of T cell receptor (TCR) Vβ genes transcribed and expressed within the autoimmune lesions of the salivary gland in the MRL/lpr mouse model of Sjögren's syndrome. Methods. Monoclonal antibodies (MAb) were used to determine the prevalence of selected V gene elements on T cell infiltrates from salivary glands of MRL/lpr mice. To analyze TCR Vβ gene usage, we used reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and single‐strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analyses. Results. A predominance of Vβ 8+ T cells was detected within the inflammatory lesions during development of autoimmune disease (confirmed by flow cytometry). RT‐PCR analysis revealed that in autoimmune sialadenitis, the predominant expression of the Vβ 8 gene segment began in the early stages of disease (2‐month‐old mice) and increased over time. Extensive age‐related diversity of TCR Vβ gene usage was also observed. SSCP analysis demonstrated a distinct and common binding pattern of the Vβ 8 gene PCR product from the cell infiltrates during the course of the disease. Conclusion. Our data suggest that in the MRL/lpr mouse model of Sjögren's syndrome, there is restricted usage of TCR Vβ elements according to the stage of the disease, and that Vβ 8 are probably used preferentially in the recognition of a single unknown self antigen in the salivary gland.