Skewed T-cell receptor repertoire in genetically identical twins correlates with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

ALTHOUGH the cause of multiple sclerosis (MS) is unknown, it is thought to involve a T cell-mediated autoimmune mechanism. Susceptibility to the disease is influenced by genetic factors such as genes of the HLA and T-cell receptor (TCR) complex^1–6. Other evidence for a genetic influence includes the low incidence in certain ethnic groups⁷, the increased risk if there are affected family members⁸ and the increased concordance rate for disease in monozygotic twin pairs (26%)⁹, compared to dizygotic twins. Epidemiological studies indicate that there may be an additional role for environmental factors. Although the target antigen(s) are not yet identified, several myelin or myelin-associated proteins have been suspected^10–12, among them myelin basic protein. A lack of genetically comparable controls has impaired the analysis of the T-cell response in MS patients and caused disagreement on TCR usage in the disease^13–15. Here we analyse the role of TCR genes in MS by comparing TCR usage in discordant versus concordant monozygotic twins in response to self and foreign antigens. We find that after stimulation with myelin basic protein or tetanus toxoid, control twin sets as well as concordant twin sets select similar Vα chains. Only the discordant twin sets select different TCRs after stimulation with antigens. Thus exogenous factors or the disease shape the TCR repertoire in MS patients, as seen by comparison with unaffected genetically identical individuals. This skewing of the TCR repertoire could contribute to the pathogenesis of MS and other T-cell-mediated diseases.