Modulation of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in mice by immunization with a peptide specific for the gamma delta T cell receptor.

This study investigated the role of gamma delta T cells in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that resembles multiple sclerosis. The strategy was to assess the effect on EAE of TCR peptide immunization directed against V gamma 6 T cells, shown recently to predominate in the CNS of mice during the early stages of EAE. The data show that TCR peptide immunization specific for V gamma 6 chains does not induce protection against EAE, since the incidence of EAE in TCR treated animals was similar to control mice, and therefore does not affect disease susceptibility per se, but rather alters the development of the disease. Specifically, there was a delay in the onset of EAE and a reduction in disease severity in TCR treated animals, although the effects were not highly significant. These findings suggest a role for gamma delta T cells in the development of EAE; however, further studies are necessary to confirm the specificity of TCR peptide immunization.