T cell receptors recognizing type II collagen in HLA-DR-transgenic mice characterized by highly restricted V beta usage.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the T cell receptor (TCR) structure recognizing type II collagen (CII) in HLA-DR-transgenic mice, and to examine the role of T cells with certain V(beta)-chains in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).
METHODS: T cell hybridomas were established from DR1- and DR4-transgenic mice and selected for their responses to CII and CII peptide containing the T cell determinants. RNA was extracted and reverse transcribed into complementary DNA, which was then amplified using appropriate V(beta)- and V(alpha)-subfamily-specific primers. The polymerase chain reaction products were purified and directly sequenced. To determine the role of T cells with certain V(beta)-chains in CIA, V(beta)-subfamily-specific antibodies were administered and the development and characteristics of arthritis were determined.
RESULTS: TCRs of 23 clonally distinct T cell hybridomas that were derived from DR1-transgenic mice and that were reactive to the CII peptide containing the immunodominant determinant were analyzed. These hybridomas predominantly used the TCR V(beta)14 and V(beta)8 gene segments (70% and 30%, respectively). The same restriction in V(beta) usage was also found in CII-reactive T cell hybridomas from DR4-transgenic mice. There was also restricted use of V(alpha) genes, although this was less marked than that of V(beta). In contrast, the hybridomas expressed a diverse third complementarity-determining region. Deletion of both V(beta)14-bearing and V(beta)8-bearing T cells significantly reduced the incidence and severity of CIA.
CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that DR1 and DR4 not only bind and present the same CII immunodominant peptide, but also stimulate a highly restricted subset of T cells.