Lack of over-expression of T cell receptor Vβ5.2 in myelin basic protein-specific T cell lines derived from HLA-DR2 positive multiple sclerosis patients and controls

Based on studies reporting an overexpression of certain V genes in myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific T cells from MS patients, immunotherapies targeting single TCR (Vβ5.2, Vβ6.1) are currently under way. In order to assess the basic assumption for one of these therapeutic strategies, i.e. the overexpression of Vβ5.2 by MBP-specific T cells, we analyzed 100 MBP- specific T cell lines (TCL) for Vβ5.2 expression. Only 4 out of 100 TCL expressed Vβ5.2, and expression of this TCR gene is therefore not more frequent than expected from the normal peripheral blood distribution.