Myelin basic protein specific T cell lines and clones derived from the CNS of rats with EAE only recognize encephalitogenic epitopes

The epitope specificities of myelin basic protein (BP) specific T cell lines derived from the spinal cords (SC) and lymph nodes (LN) of rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) were compared. To induce EAE, Lewis rats were immunized with guinea pig (GP)‐BP and complete Freund's adjuvant. Mononuclear cells from the SC and LN of these animals proliferated in response to BP and the purified protein derivative (PPD) of mycobacterium. After initially being cultured in growth medium, SC mononuclear cells had an enhanced response to BP and lost their response to PPD. LN cells cultured in identical conditions lost their response to both BP and PPD. LN‐derived BP specific cell lines recognized only two epitopes of GP‐BP: an encephalitogenic epitope in residues 72–89 and a non‐encephalitogenic epitope in residues 43–68. SC‐derived BP specific cell lines and clones recognized the 72–89 epitope and a second encephalitogenic epitope contained in residues 87–99 but not the non‐encephalitogenic 43–68 epitope. Unlike those from LN, BP‐specific T cell lines and clones derived from the CNS appear to recognize only encephalitogenic epitopes, including epitopes not recognized by LN lines.