Activated CD4+ T-cells targeting specific auto-antigenic peptides of myelin proteins mediate the pathogenesis in multiple sclerosis patients and EAE models. The disease mechanisms that cause MS remain unknown, but susceptibility maps to specific HLA-DR beta- 1 alleles (especially 04.01, and 15.01). To investigate the genetic predisposition of MS recombinant HLA-DR beta-1 complexes (01.01, 04.01, and 15.01) were constructed containing different peptides derived from sheath proteins: PLP, MBP, and MOG. The gene constructs were transfected into SF9 cells to evaluate surface expression as it relates to the auto-antigenic activity of several pMHC combinations. Individual myelin peptides were also assayed for the ability to induce EAE in transgenic HLA-DR beta-1 04.01 and 15.01 mice.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Paulino, Luisanna Victoria

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-043015-134808

Advisor

• Adams, David S.

Year

• 2015

Sponsor

• UMass Medical School

Date created

• 2015-04-30

Location

• New York

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright