1. Academic Validation
  2. Estrogen potentiates treatment with T-cell receptor protein of female mice with experimental encephalomyelitis

Estrogen potentiates treatment with T-cell receptor protein of female mice with experimental encephalomyelitis

  • J Clin Invest. 2000 May;105(10):1465-72. doi: 10.1172/JCI9213.
H Offner 1 K Adlard A Zamora A A Vandenbark
Affiliations

Affiliation

  • 1 Neuroimmunology Research, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA. offner.halina@portland.va.gov
Abstract

Transgenic mice expressing the BV8S2 chain, which is specific for the myelin basic protein determinant Ac1-11, possess a naturally induced set of regulatory T cells directed against BV8S2. Further activation of anti-BV8S2 T cells in male mice with recombinant BV8S2 protein can inhibit IFN-gamma release by Ac1-11-specific T cells through a cytokine-driven mechanism and prevent induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In contrast, naive female mice possess fewer anti-BV8S2-reactive T cells, and treatment with BV8S2 delayed but did not prevent EAE. We here demonstrate that combining T-cell receptor (TCR) vaccination with supplemental estrus doses of estrogen potentiated IL-10 production by anti-BV8S2-reactive T cells and induced Ac1-11-specific T cells to produce IL-10 and TGF-beta. This combined treatment resulted in full protection against EAE, which was not observed with either therapy alone. These findings imply that supplemental estrogen can enhance the efficacy of TCR-based immunotherapy for autoimmune diseases that predominate in females.

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