Tapasin is required for efficient peptide binding to transporter associated with antigen processing

The transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) binds peptides in its cytosolic part and subsequently translocates the peptides into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where assembly of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and peptide takes place. Tapasin is a subunit of the TAP complex and binds both to TAP1 and MHC class I. In the absence of tapasin, the assembly of MHC class I in the ER is impaired, and the surface expression is reduced. To clarify the function of tapasin in the processing of antigenic peptides, we studied the interaction of peptide and TAP, peptide transport across the membrane of the ER, and association of peptides with MHC class I molecules in the microsomes derived from tapasin mutant cell line 721.220, its sister cell line 721.221 expressing tapasin, and their HLA-A2 transfectants. The binding of peptides to TAP in tapasin mutant 721.220 cells was significantly diminished in comparison with 721.221 cells. Impaired peptide-TAP interaction resulted in a defective peptide transport in tapasin mutant 721.220 cells. Interestingly, despite the diminished peptide binding to TAP, the transport rate of TAP-associated peptides was not significantly altered in 721.220 cells. After transfection of tapasin cDNA into 721.220 cells, efficient peptide-TAP interaction was restored. Thus, we conclude that tapasin is required for efficient peptide-TAP interaction.     

Peptide-induced modulation of target cell sensitivity to natural killing.

We have previously shown that the capacity of class I molecules to confer resistance to NK in transfected target cells maps to the Ag-binding site (ABS) of the HLA class I structure. Here we examine the effect of peptide (reagents specific for the ABS) pretreatment on the NK sensitivity of class I+ target cells. Synthetic peptides (10-17 amino acids in length) were used to pretreat C1R target cells expressing either no serologically detectable HLA-A, B class I molecules, or C1R transfectants expressing individual HLA-A or -B locus class I molecules. In each case in which the class I allele had previously been shown to directly bind a given peptide, peptide-pulsing of target cells resulted in increased sensitivity to NK-mediated conjugation and cytolysis. The NK susceptibility of C1R target cells expressing no HLA-A, B class I molecules or the nonprotective HLA-A2.1 or HLA-A2M70 mutant class I molecules was unaffected by pretreatment with HLA-A2-binding peptides. These results support the intimate involvement of the HLA class I ABS and potentially ABS-bound peptides in determining target cell sensitivity to NK. Furthermore, these findings form the basis of an effective screening procedure for discerning peptide class I allele-specific interactions.     

Classical and nonclassical class I major histocompatibility complex molecules exhibit subtle conformational differences that affect binding to CD8alphaalpha

The cell surface molecules CD4 and CD8 greatly enhance the sensitivity of T-cell antigen recognition, acting as "co-receptors" by binding to the same major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules as the T-cell receptor (TCR). Here we use surface plasmon resonance to study the binding of CD8alphaalpha to class I MHC molecules. CD8alphaalpha bound the classical MHC molecules HLA-A*0201, -A*1101, -B*3501, and -C*0702 with dissociation constants (K(d)) of 90-220 microm, a range of affinities distinctly lower than that of TCR/peptide-MHC interaction. We suggest such affinities apply to most CD8alphaalpha/classical class I MHC interactions and may be optimal for T-cell recognition. In contrast, CD8alphaalpha bound both HLA-A*6801 and B*4801 with a significantly lower affinity (>/=1 mm), consistent with the finding that interactions with these alleles are unable to mediate cell-cell adhesion. Interestingly, CD8alphaalpha bound normally to the nonclassical MHC molecule HLA-G (K(d) approximately 150 microm), but only weakly to the natural killer cell receptor ligand HLA-E (K(d) >/= 1 mm). Site-directed mutagenesis experiments revealed that variation in CD8alphaalpha binding affinity can be explained by amino acid differences within the alpha3 domain. Taken together with crystallographic studies, these results indicate that subtle conformational changes in the solvent exposed alpha3 domain loop (residues 223-229) can account for the differential ability of both classical and nonclassical class I MHC molecules to bind CD8.     

The ability of cytotoxic T cells to recognize HLA-A2.1 or HLA-B7 antigens expressed on murine cells correlates with their epitope specificity

Two groups of human and murine cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones specific for human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 or -B7 can be distinguished based on their ability to kill murine transfectants expressing these molecules. The clones which do not recognize murine transfectants exhibited greatly reduced conjugate formation with these cells, indicating that the inability to lyse these cells occurs in recognition and binding. No systematic differences in inhibitory titer between the two types of CTL clones were seen with anti-CD8 (Lyt-2), anti-LFA-1, or monoclonal antibodies against HLA class I molecules. However, blocking with anti-HLA class I monoclonal antibodies suggested that different CTL clones recognized spatially separate epitopes on HLA-A2 and -B7. In addition, a correlation between the inability to recognize murine transfectants and fine specificity was seen. Eight of nine clones which did not lyse murine transfectants also failed to recognize human cells expressing HLA-A2.2 or -A2.3. In contrast only 5 of 12 clones which lysed transfectants failed to recognize the variant molecules. Analogous data were obtained with human CTL clones raised against HLA-A2.1. These findings suggest that CTL clones that do not lyse murine cells expressing appropriate antigens recognize epitopes that have been altered or lost as a consequence of expression on the murine cell surface. It is suggested that the loss of HLA-associated epitopes on the murine cell surface may be due to differences between mouse and human cells in the processing or presentation of class I-associated peptides.     

Molecular cloning of orangutan and gibbon MHC class I cDNA. The HLA-A and -B loci diverged over 30 million years ago.

To investigate whether the classical HLA MHC class I loci have been preserved during evolution of the primates, we have cloned, sequenced, and expressed eight MHC class I cDNA from orangutan and gibbon lymphocytes. Both the HLA-A and -B loci are present in both of these species. In fact, lymphocytes from the orangutan expressed three HLA-B-related gene products, suggesting that the ancestral homologue of the HLA-B locus had undergone a duplication in this species. Interestingly, several amino acid motifs thought to be important in the Ag-presenting function of MHC class I molecules were preserved in the Ag-recognition sites of the orangutan and gibbon MHC class I molecules. Finally, these findings suggest that the recombination event between the HLA-A and -E loci occurred over 38 million years ago. These data indicate that the HLA-A and -B loci are extremely stable and that recombination between them is rare. Furthermore, the data presented here argue against the role of concerted evolution in the evolution of primate MHC class I molecules.     

Increased CD8+ cytotoxic T cell responses to myelin basic protein in multiple sclerosis

Autoreactive T cells of CD4 and CD8 subsets recognizing myelin basic protein (MBP), a candidate myelin autoantigen, are thought to contribute to and play distinct roles in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). In this study we identified four MBP-derived peptides that had high binding affinity to HLA-A2 and HLA-A24 and characterized the CD8(+) T cell responses and their functional properties in patients with MS. There were significantly increased CD8(+) T cell responses to 9-mer MBP peptides, in particular MBP(111-119) and MBP(87-95) peptides that had high binding affinity to HLA-A2, in patients with MS compared with healthy individuals. The resulting CD8(+) T cell lines were of the Th1 phenotype, producing TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma and belonged to a CD45RA(-)/CD45RO(+) memory T cell subset. Further characterization indicated that the CD8(+) T cell lines obtained were stained with MHC class I tetramer (HLA-A2/MBP(111-119)) and exhibited specific cytotoxicity toward autologous target cells pulsed with MBP-derived peptides in the context of MHC class I molecules. These cytotoxic CD8(+) T cell lines derived from MS patients recognized endogenously processed MBP and lysed COS cells transfected with genes encoding MBP and HLA-A2. These findings support the potential role of CD8(+) CTLs recognizing MBP in the injury of oligodendrocytes expressing both MHC class I molecules and MBP.     

Gene transfer preferentially selects MHC class I positive tumour cells and enhances tumour immunogenicity

The modulated expression of MHC class I on tumour tissue is well documented. Although the effect of MHC class I expression on the tumorigenicity and immunogenicity of MHC class I negative tumour cell lines has been rigorously studied, less is known about the validity of gene transfer and selection in cell lines with a mixed MHC class I phenotype. To address this issue we identified a C26 cell subline that consists of distinct populations of MHC class I (H-2D/K) positive and negative cells. Transient transfection experiments using liposome-based transfer showed a lower transgene expression in MHC class I negative cells. In addition, MHC class I negative cells were more sensitive to antibiotic selection. This led to the generation of fully MHC class I positive cell lines. In contrast to C26 cells, all transfectants were rejected in vivo and induced protection against the parental tumour cells in rechallenge experiments. Tumour cell specificity of the immune response was demonstrated in in vitro cytokine secretion and cytotoxicity assays. Transfectants expressing CD40 ligand and hygromycin phosphotransferase were not more immunogenic than cells expressing hygromycin resistance alone. We suggest that the MHC class I positive phenotype of the C26 transfectants had a bearing on their immunogenicity, because selected MHC class I positive cells were more immunogenic than parental C26 cells and could induce specific anti-tumour immune responses. These data demonstrate that the generation of tumour cell transfectants can lead to the selection of subpopulations that show an altered phenotype compared to the parental cell line and display altered immunogenicity independent of selection marker genes or other immune modulatory genes. Our results show the importance of monitoring gene transfer in the whole tumour cell population, especially for the evaluation of in vivo therapies targeted to heterogeneous tumour cell populations.     

Species specificity in the interaction of CD8 with the alpha 3 domain of MHC class I molecules.

The alpha 1 and alpha 2 domains of the class I MHC molecule constitute the putative binding site for processed peptides and the TCR, although the alpha 3 domain has been implicated as a binding site for the CD8 molecule. Species specificity in the binding of CD8 to the alpha 3 domain has been suggested as an explanation for the low xenogeneic T cell response to class I molecules, but results on this point have been conflicting and controversial. We have addressed this issue using CTL lines from HLA-A2.1 transgenic mice that specifically recognize and lyse A2.1-expressing cells infected with influenza A/PR/8 or pulsed with influenza matrix peptide M1(57-68). Species specificity was examined using transfectants that expressed hybrid molecules containing the alpha 1 and alpha 2 domains from HLA-A2.1 and the alpha 3 domain from a murine class I molecule. Lower levels of M1(57-68) peptide were required to sensitize L cell transfectants expressing a chimera that contained an H-2Dd alpha 3 domain than targets expressing the intact A2.1 molecule. However, at high doses of peptide, lysis of these two targets was similar. However, no reproducible difference in sensitization was observed using EL4 or Jurkat transfectants expressing A2.1 or A2.1 chimeric molecules that contained an H-2Kb alpha 3 domain. In all cases, however, lysis of peptide-pulsed A2.1 expressing targets was more sensitive to inhibition with anti-CD8 mAb than lysis of cells expressing these chimeric molecules. Thus, under suboptimal conditions such as low Ag density or in the presence of anti-CD8 mAb, these CTL preferentially recognize class I molecules with a murine alpha 3 domain. This suggests that there is some species specificity in the interaction of CD8 with the alpha 3 domain of the class I molecule. However, CTL recognition was inhibited by point mutations in the alpha 3 domain of HLA-A2.1 that have been shown to inhibit binding of human CD8 and recognition by human CTL, suggesting that murine CD8 interacts to some degree with human alpha 3 domains, and that similar alpha 3 domain residues may be important for murine and human CD8 binding. The relevance of these results to an understanding of low xenogeneic responses is discussed.     

Specific molecular interaction between the insulin receptor and a D product of MHC class I

The density of MHC class I was determined on a murine thymoma cell line (R1), an H-2 negative variant (R1E), and R1E-derived cell lines in which H-2 expression was restored by transfection of various MHC class I genes (Db, Kb, and truncated Db) and/or a beta-2-microglobulin gene (beta 2-m; B2). Appreciable MHC class I expression was found on R1 cells and on the variants in which MHC class I expression was restored by transfection of Db/beta 2-m or Kb/beta 2-m genes. Only approximately 20% difference was observed between the number of Db molecules and Kb molecules on the R1E/B2/Db and on R1E/B2/Kb, respectively. However, specific insulin binding was significantly different between these lines. By using a computer assisted curve fitting program, the insulin binding data for R1 and R1E/B2/Db cell lines best fitted a two-site model (K approximately 6 x 10(-9) M for high-affinity sites and a 2 to 3 x 10(-7) M for low-affinity sites), whereas all other lines only expressed one type of insulin binding site. These sites were unrelated to IGF-I and IGF-II receptors. Cross-linking of 125I-labeled insulin demonstrated specific binding of the ligand to a Mr approximately 130,000 dalton band in all lines. In the R1E/B2/Db cells, insulin also cross-linked to cell membrane molecules with Mr approximately 48,000 and approximately 60,000 Da, which were identified by immunoprecipitation to be the H chain of MHC class I and the heavy chain of MHC class I plus beta 2-m, respectively. It is concluded that the insulin receptors in the cell membrane interact specifically with D-products of MHC class I and that class I molecules of MHC may have a crucial role in insulin receptor expression. This may reflect a more general nonimmunologic role of MHC class I.     

Poor binding of a HER-2/neu epitope (GP2) to HLA-A2.1 is due to a lack of interactions with the center of the peptide

Class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules bind short peptides derived from proteins synthesized within the cell. These complexes of peptide and class I MHC (pMHC) are transported from the endoplasmic reticulum to the cell surface. If a clonotypic T cell receptor expressed on a circulating T cell binds to the pMHC complex, the cell presenting the pMHC is killed. In this manner, some tumor cells expressing aberrant proteins are recognized and removed by the immune system. However, not all tumors are recognized efficiently. One reason hypothesized for poor T cell recognition of tumor-associated peptides is poor binding of those peptides to class I MHC molecules. Many peptides, derived from the proto-oncogene HER-2/neu have been shown to be recognized by cytotoxic T cells derived from HLA-A2(+) patients with breast cancer and other adenocarcinomas. Seven of these peptides were found to bind with intermediate to poor affinity. In particular, GP2 (HER-2/neu residues 654-662) binds very poorly even though it is predicted to bind well based upon the presence of the correct HLA-A2.1 peptide-binding motif. Altering the anchor residues to those most favored by HLA-A2.1 did not significantly improve binding affinity. The crystallographic structure shows that unlike other class I-peptide structures, the center of the peptide does not assume one specific conformation and does not make stabilizing contacts with the peptide-binding cleft.     

Tapasin is a facilitator, not an editor, of class I MHC peptide binding

Tapasin has been proposed to function as a peptide editor to displace lower affinity peptides and/or to favor the binding of high affinity peptides. Consistent with this, cell surface HLA-B8 molecules in tapasin-deficient cells were less stable and the peptide repertoire was substantially altered. However, the binding affinities of peptides expressed in the absence of tapasin were unexpectedly higher, not lower. The peptide repertoire from cells expressing soluble tapasin was similar in both appearance and affinity to that presented in the presence of full-length tapasin, but the HLA-B8 molecules showed altered cell surface stability characteristics. Similarly, the binding affinities of HLA-A*0201-associated peptides from tapasin(+) and tapasin(-) cells were equivalent, although steady state HLA-A*0201 cell surface expression was decreased and the molecules demonstrated reduced cell surface stability on tapasin(-) cells. These data are inconsistent with a role for tapasin as a peptide editor. Instead, we propose that tapasin acts as a peptide facilitator. In this role, it stabilizes the peptide-free conformation of class I MHC molecules in the endoplasmic reticulum and thus increases the number and variety of peptides bound to class I MHC. Full-length tapasin then confers additional stability on class I MHC molecules that are already associated with peptides.     

Allele- and locus-specific recognition of class I MHC molecules by the immunomodulatory E3-19K protein from adenovirus

The E3-19K protein from human adenoviruses (Ads) retains class I MHC molecules in the endoplasmic reticulum. As a consequence, the cell surface expression of class I molecules is suppressed, allowing Ads to evade immune surveillance. Using native gel electrophoresis, gel filtration chromatography, and surface plasmon resonance, we show that a soluble form of the Ad type 2 (Ad2) E3-19K protein associates with HLA-A and -B molecules; equilibrium dissociation constants were in the nanomolar range and approximately 2.5-fold higher affinity for HLA-A (-A*0201, -A*0301, -A*1101, -A*3301, and -Aw*6801) relative to HLA-B (-B*0702 and -B*0801) molecules. Among the alleles of the HLA-A locus examined, HLA-A*3101 associated approximately 15-fold less avidly with soluble E3-19K. Soluble E3-19K interacted only very weakly with HLA-Cw*0304, and no interaction with HLA-Cw*0401 could be detected under identical conditions. Site-directed mutagenesis and flow cytometry demonstrated that MHC residue 56 plays a critical role in the association and endoplasmic reticulum retention of HLA-A molecules by E3-19K. This delineates the spatial environment around residue 56 as a putative E3-19K interaction surface on class I molecules. Overall, our data imply that a link may exist between host genetic factors and the susceptibility of individuals to Ad infections.     

Lack of correlation between levels of MHC class I antigen and susceptibility to lysis of small cellular lung carcinoma (SCLC) by natural killer cells

Small cellular lung carcinoma (SCLC) cell lines are susceptible to lysis by NK cells. SCLC, normally negative for MHC class I Ag, were rendered positive for HLA-A and -B Ag by two methods: treatment with IFN-gamma or transfection with HLA class I genes. Exposure to IFN-gamma induced high levels of class I Ag and reduced susceptibility to NK-mediated lysis. However, transfection with either HLA-A2, HLA-B27, or HLA-B27 with beta 2m did not result in reduced susceptibility to NK cells. These transfectants expressed amounts of HLA class I Ag comparable to those in IFN-gamma-treated, untransfected cells. Transfection with the beta 2m gene or plasmid alone neither influenced levels of surface class I Ag nor resulted in reduced susceptibility to lysis by NK cells. Thus, the effects of IFN-gamma on NK susceptibility can be dissociated from the induction of class I Ag.     

Adenovirus E3-19K proteins of different serotypes and subgroups have similar, yet distinct, immunomodulatory functions toward major histocompatibility class I molecules

Our understanding of the mechanism by which the E3-19K protein from adenovirus (Ad) targets major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules for retention in the endoplasmic reticulum is derived largely from studies of Ad serotype 2 (subgroup C). It is not well understood to what extent observations on the Ad2 E3-19K/MHC I association can be generalized to E3-19K proteins of other serotypes and subgroups. The low levels of amino acid sequence homology between E3-19K proteins suggest that these proteins are likely to manifest distinct MHC I binding properties. This information is important as the E3-19K/MHC I interaction is thought to play a critical role in enabling Ads to cause persistent infections. Here, we characterized interaction between E3-19K proteins of serotypes 7 and 35 (subgroup B), 5 (subgroup C), 37 (subgroup D), and 4 (subgroup E) and a panel of HLA-A, -B, and -C molecules using native gel, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and flow cytometry. Results show that all E3-19K proteins exhibited allele specificity toward HLA-A and -B molecules; this was less evident for Ad37 E3-19K. The allele specificity for HLA-A molecules was remarkably similar for different serotypes of subgroup B as well as subgroup C. Interestingly, all E3-19K proteins characterized also exhibited MHC I locus specificity. Importantly, we show that Lys(91) in the conserved region of Ad2 E3-19K targets the C terminus of the α2-helix (MHC residue 177) on MHC class I molecules. From our data, we propose a model of interaction between E3-19K and MHC class I molecules.     

Dissection of the interaction of the human cytomegalovirus-derived US2 protein with major histocompatibility complex class I molecules: prominent role of a single arginine residue in human leukocyte antigen-A2

Human cytomegalovirus encodes several proteins that interfere with expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules on the surface of infected cells. The unique short protein 2 (US2) binds to many MHC class I allomorphs in the endoplasmic reticulum, preventing cell surface expression of the class I molecule in question. The molecular interactions underlying US2 binding to MHC class I molecules and its allele specificity have not been fully clarified. In the present study, we first compared the sequences and the structures of US2 retained versus non-retained human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I allomorphs to identify MHC residues of potential importance for US2 binding. On the basis of this analysis, 18 individual HLA-A2 mutants were generated and the ability of full-length US2 to bind wild-type and mutated HLA-A2 complexes was assessed. We demonstrate that Arg181 plays a critical role in US2-mediated inhibition of HLA-A2 cell surface expression. The structural comparison of all known crystal structures of HLA-A2 either alone, or in complex with T cell receptor or the CD8 co-receptor, indicates that binding of US2 to HLA-A2 results in a unique, large conformational change of the side chain of Arg181. However, although the presence of Arg181 seems to be a prerequisite for US2 binding to HLA-A2, it is not sufficient for binding to all MHC class I alleles.     

Shared human melanoma antigens. Recognition by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in HLA-A2.1-transfected melanomas.

Three predominantly CD8+ CTL lines, TIL 501, TIL 620, and TIL 660, were generated from three HLA-A2+ melanoma patients by culturing tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in 1000 U/ml IL-2. These tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes lysed 12 of 18 HLA-A2+ autologous and allogeneic melanomas, but none of 20 HLA-A2-negative melanomas. They also did not lyse the MHC class I negative lymphoma-leukemia cell lines, Daudi, K562, or HLA-A2+ non-melanoma cell lines including PHA or Con A-induced lymphoblast, fibroblast, EBV-transformed B cell, Burkitt's B cell lymphoma, and colon cancer cell lines. Autologous and allogeneic melanoma lysis was inhibited by anti-CD3, by anti-MHC class I, and by anti-HLA-A2 mAb, indicating recognition of shared tumor Ag among melanoma cell lines in a TCR-dependent, HLA-A2-restricted manner. Six HLA-A2-negative melanoma cell lines obtained from five HLA-A2-negative patients were co-transfected with the HLA-A2.1 gene and pSV2neo. All 17 cloned transfectants expressing cell surface HLA-A2 molecules, but none of 12 transfectants lacking HLA-A2 expression, were lysed by these three HLA-A2-restricted, melanoma-specific CTL. Lysis of the HLA-A2+ transfectants was inhibited by anti-CD3, by anti-MHC class I, and by anti-HLA-A2 mAb, indicating recognition of shared tumor Ag on transfectants in a TCR-dependent, HLA-A2-restricted manner. These results identify the HLA-A2.1 molecule as an Ag-presenting molecule for melanoma Ag. They also suggest that common melanoma Ag are expressed among melanoma patients regardless of HLA type. These findings have implications for the development of melanoma vaccines that would induce antitumor T cell responses.     

Clustering of peptide-loaded MHC class I molecules for endoplasmic reticulum export imaged by fluorescence resonance energy transfer

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer between cyan fluorescent protein- and yellow fluorescent protein-tagged MHC class I molecules reports on their spatial organization during assembly and export from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). A fraction of MHC class I molecules is clustered in the ER at steady state. Contrary to expectations from biochemical models, this fraction is not bound to the TAP. Instead, it appears that MHC class I molecules cluster after peptide loading. This clustering points toward a novel step involved in the selective export of peptide-loaded MHC class I molecules from the ER. Consistent with this model, we detected clusters of wild-type HLA-A2 molecules and of mutant A2-T134K molecules that cannot bind TAP, but HLA-A2 did not detectably cluster with A2-T134K at steady state. Lactacystin treatment disrupted the HLA-A2 clusters, but had no effect on the A2-T134K clusters. However, when cells were fed peptides with high affinity for HLA-A2, mixed clusters containing both HLA-A2 and A2-T134K were detected.     

Polymorphic Alu insertions and their associations with MHC class I alleles and haplotypes in Han and Jinuo populations in Yunnan Province, southwest of China

The associations of polymorphic Alu insertions （POALINs） with major histocompatibility complex （MHC） class I genes enable us to better identify origins and evolution of MHC class I region haplotypes in different populations. For further studying origins and evolution of MHC class I region haplotypes in Han and Jinuo populations in Yunnan Province, we investigated frequencies of five POALINs, their associations with HLA-A and -B, the three-loci POALINs haplotype frequencies and HLA/POALIN four-loci haplotype frequencies within the alpha block of MHC class I region. We found that a strong positive association between AluHG and HLA-A＊02 is in Jinuo, but not in Yunnan Han. These results suggest that MHC class I region haplotypes of the two studied populations might derive from different progenitor haplotypes and MHC I-POALINs are informative genetic markers for investigating origins and evolution of MHC class I region haplotypes in different populations.     

Opposing effects of HLA class I molecules in tuning autoreactive CD8+ T cells in multiple sclerosis

The major known genetic risk factors in multiple sclerosis reside in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region. Although there is strong evidence implicating MHC class II alleles and CD4(+) T cells in multiple sclerosis pathogenesis, possible contributions from MHC class I genes and CD8(+) T cells are controversial. We have generated humanized mice expressing the multiple sclerosis-associated MHC class I alleles HLA-A(*)0301 (encoding human leukocyte antigen-A3 (HLA-A3)) and HLA-A(*)0201 (encoding HLA-A2) and a myelin-specific autoreactive T cell receptor (TCR) derived from a CD8(+) T cell clone from an individual with multiple sclerosis to study mechanisms of disease susceptibility. We demonstrate roles for HLA-A3-restricted CD8(+) T cells in induction of multiple sclerosis-like disease and for CD4(+) T cells in its progression, and we also define a possible mechanism for HLA-A(*)0201-mediated protection. To our knowledge, these data provide the first direct evidence incriminating MHC class I genes and CD8(+) T cells in the pathogenesis of human multiple sclerosis and reveal a network of MHC interactions that shape the risk of multiple sclerosis.