Breakdown of tolerance to a self-peptide of acetylcholine receptor alpha-subunit induces experimental myasthenia gravis in rats

Experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG), a model for human myasthenia (MG), is routinely induced in susceptible rat strains by a single immunization with Torpedo acetylcholine receptor (TAChR). TAChR immunization induces anti-AChR Abs that cross-react with self AChR, activate the complement cascade, and promote degradation of the postsynaptic membrane of the neuromuscular junction. In parallel, TAChR-specific T cells are induced, and their specific immunodominant epitope has been mapped to the sequence 97-116 of the AChR alpha subunit. A proliferative T cell response against the corresponding rat sequence (R97-116) was also found in TAChR-immunized rats. To test whether the rat (self) sequence can be pathogenic, we immunized Lewis rats with R97-116 or T97-116 peptides and evaluated clinical, neurophysiological, and immunological parameters. Clinical signs of the disease were noted only in R97-116-immunized animals and were confirmed by electrophysiological signs of impaired neuromuscular transmission. All animals produced Abs against the immunizing peptide, but anti-rat AChR Abs were observed only in animals immunized with the rat peptide. These findings suggested that EAMG in rats can be induced by a single peptide of the self AChR, that this sequence is recognized by T cells and Abs, and that breakdown of tolerance to a self epitope might be an initiating event in the pathogenesis of rat EAMG and MG.