Myelin peptide-specific autoreactive T cell

Myelin peptide-specific autoreactive T cells are **T lymphocytes** that recognize peptides derived from central nervous system myelin proteins such as **myelin basic protein (MBP)**, **proteolipid protein (PLP)**, and **myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)** presented on MHC molecules. These cells can be either CD4+ helper or CD8+ cytotoxic subsets. They play a central role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune demyelinating diseases like **multiple sclerosis**, where they mediate inflammation and destruction of the myelin sheath through direct cytotoxicity and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL‑17[1][2][3][5]. In healthy individuals these potentially pathogenic clones are usually kept under control by regulatory mechanisms such as regulatory T cells; however, breakdowns in tolerance—potentially triggered by infections via molecular mimicry—can lead to their activation and expansion[1][2][3]. Once activated within the CNS or periphery they contribute to chronic neuroinflammation characteristic of multiple sclerosis. **Note:** This entry refers to a *cellular population*, not a single molecule/receptor/protein typically considered a drug target. The term is imprecise for structured drug-target databases because it describes an immune effector subset rather than a discrete molecular entity like "CD20" or "TNF receptor." For structured data purposes it would be more appropriate to specify individual targets such as "Myelin basic protein," "Proteolipid protein," their respective epitopes/peptides recognized by pathogenic clones ("MBP 83–99", etc.), or surface markers defining these autoreactive populations ("CD4", "CD8"). Therefore: **is_incorrect:** true — The entry does not correspond to a canonical single molecule/receptor but rather an entire class/population of disease-relevant immune effector cells[5]. If you need information on specific *molecular targets* involved in this process—such as particular MHC-peptide complexes recognized by these autoreactive clones—please clarify further.

Other names

Myelin-specific T cellMyelin-reactive T cellAutoreactive myelin T lymphocyteEncephalitogenic myelin-specific T cell

Immunotherapies in MS work by reducing activation/proliferation of autoreactive T cells, inducing tolerance to myelin antigens, or shifting cytokine profiles toward anti-inflammatory states. Examples include broad immunosuppression and antigen-specific tolerance induction[4].