Suppression of autoimmune demyelinating disease by preferential stimulation of CNS-specific CD8 T cells using Listeria-encoded neuroantigen.

CD8 T-cells predominate in CNS lesions of MS patients and display oligoclonal expansion. However, the role of myelin-specific CD8 T-cells in disease remains unclear, with studies showing protective and pathogenic roles in EAE. We demonstrated a disease-suppressive function for CNS-specific CD8 T-cells in a model where the antigen is exogenously administered in vivo and used for in vitro activation.

CD8(+) T-Cells as Immune Regulators of Multiple Sclerosis.

The vast majority of studies regarding the immune basis of MS (and its animal model, EAE) have largely focused on CD4(+) T-cells as mediators and regulators of disease. Interestingly, CD8(+) T-cells represent the predominant T-cell population in human MS lesions and are oligoclonally expanded at the site of pathology. However, their role in the autoimmune pathologic process has been both understudied and controversial.

Immune regulation of multiple sclerosis by CD8+ T cells.

The role of CD8+ T cells in the process of autoimmune pathology has been both understudied and controversial. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) with underlying T cell-mediated immunopathology. CD8+ T cells are the predominant T cells in human MS lesions, showing oligoclonal expansion at the site of pathology.