T cell lines selected with synthetic peptides are highly encephalitogenic in SJL/J mice.

T cell lines were selected from basic protein (BP)-immunized SJL/J mice using synthetic peptides encompassing the major SJL/J encephalitogenic determinant. Synthetic peptide-derived T cell lines proliferated in response to BP, the 89-169 peptidase fragment of BP and the synthetic peptides, pM87-99, pM90-99 and pM91-99. These lines transferred a demyelinating and chronic relapsing form of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) into naive mice, and EAE induced by synthetic peptide-derived lines was more severe than that induced by whole BP-derived lines. This study demonstrates that T cell lines selected with synthetic peptides are encephalitogenic in SJL/J mice and offers an improved means for selecting SJL/J encephalitogenic T cell lines.