Lymphotoxin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production by myelin basic protein-specific T cell clones correlates with encephalitogenicity

Lymphokine activity in seven myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific T cell clones was examined. All of the clones recognize MBP peptide 1–9 in the context of I-Au. A strong positive correlation was found between levels of lymphotoxin (LT) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) mRNA and biological activity on L929 cells and their capacity to Induce paralysis, the clinical hallmark of experimental allergic encephalomyelitls (EAE). No correlation was found between interleukin-2 or gamma interferon production and encephalitogenicity. LT and/or TNF-α may play a central role in the pathogenesis of EAE.