Differential adhesion of MBP specific CD4⁺ T cell hybridoma clones to cerebromicrovascular and peripheral endothelium

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an organ specific disease, mediated by T cells trafficking into the central nervous system (CNS) (1) and has served as a model system for the human demyelinating disease, multiple sclerosis (MS) (2). The goal of the present study was to determine if CNS-specific lymphocyte-endothelial interactions exist for CNS antigen specific T cells. The adhesion of MBP specific CD4⁺ T cell hybridoma clones to untreated and cytokine activated CNS and peripheral (hepatic) endothelium was compared. A non-CNS antigen, chicken ovalbumin specific, T cell hybridoma was used as a control. Increased binding of the MBP specific CD4⁺ T cell hybridoma to CNS endothelium was observed when compared to peripheral endothelium. Increased, but persistently differential binding to CNS endothelium was also observed in the cytokine (TNF, γ-IFN) treated groups. In contrast, a non-CNS antigen specific control cell line did not demonstrate selective binding to brain vs. peripheral endothelium. These results demonstrate organ specific adhesive interactions between MBP specific T cells and CNS endothelium.