Myelin basic protein-specific CD4+ cytolytic T-lymphocyte clones isolated from multiple sclerosis patients.

In the present report we describe the isolation and characterization of stable, long-term, human T-lymphocyte clones specific for myelin basic protein (MBP) from multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Isolation of these clones appeared possible only by seeding peripheral blood mononuclear cells into a limiting dilution microculture system containing MBP, autologous irradiated cells and Interleukin-2 (IL-2), thereby minimizing effects of putative suppressor cell populations. All clones obtained were of the CD4+ phenotype. The majority was capable of MBP-specific cytolysis, tested with 51Chromium-labeled autologous Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B-cells, coated with MBP, as targets. A few other clones had natural killer (NK) function. All clones produced Interleukin-2 (IL-2) upon adequate stimulation.