Identification of a major T-cell epitope within VP3 amino acid residues 24 to 37 of Theiler's virus in demyelination-susceptible SJL/J mice

Intracerebral inoculation of susceptible strains of mice with Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) results in a chronic, immunologically mediated demyelinating disease that shares many features with human multiple sclerosis. CD4⁺ T lymphocytes play a critical rule in the pathogenesis of virus-induced demyelinating disease. We have identified a region within amino acid residues 24 to 37 of the VP3 capsid protein of TMEV (VP3_24-37) that is recognized by T lymphocytes from the demyelination-susceptible SJL/J strain of mice. The T-cell response to VP3_24-37 represents a predominant Th-cell response against the virus from either TMEV-immunized or TMEV- infected SJL/J mice, and vital epitopes VP1_233-250, VP2_74-86, and VP3_24-37 account for most of the Th-cell response to TMEV.