Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) are characterized by the presence of autoantibodies against small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (SnRNP). In these diseases autoantibodies mediate host cell injury. The investigator proposes that B-cell autoantibody production is under the control of T-cell help in these diseases. This is supported by studies in animal models of SLE, in which depletion of CD4+ T-cells has therapeutic benefit, and recently autoantibody production to the RNP antigens has been found to have HLA DR4 and DR2 associations, implying control by T-cells restricted to these MHC alleles. The investigator proposes to analyze the hypothesis that Sn RNP reactive T-cells provide help for anti-Sm RNP autoantibody producing B-cells and that these T-cells play a role in the immunopathogenesis of SLE and MCTD. Therefore, in Aim I, the investigator will determine if Sm reactive human T-cell clones can provide help to anti-Sm autoantibody production and determine the cytokines produced by such Sm reactive T-cells.
In Aim II, the investigator will characterize the TCR Va and Vb gene segment usage and CDR3 sequences of human T-cell clones specific for the B and D polypeptides of Sm antigens.
In Aim III, the T-cell epitopes of the B and D polypeptides will be mapped using overlapping peptides, and, finally, in aim IV, the MHC restriction of the T-cell clones will be determined using transfections of a variety of HLA MHC class II alleles, notably those encoding HLR DR2.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01AR043308-01A1
Application #
2006430
Study Section
Immunological Sciences Study Section (IMS)
Project Start
1997-02-01
Project End
2002-01-31
Budget Start
1997-02-01
Budget End
1998-01-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Missouri-Columbia
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
112205955
City
Columbia
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
65211
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