Another role for CD8 T cells

Epub: Camara et al CD8+ T cell help is required for efficient induction of EAE in Lewis rats. J Neuroimmunol. 2013 pii: S0165-5728(13)00098-2.

The role of CD8+ T cells in multiple sclerosis (MS) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is still unclear. We describe here significantly reduced disease activity of EAE both in Lewis rats depleted of CD8+ T cells by monoclonal antibodies and CD8 knockout rats, which was accompanied by reduced leucocyte infiltration into the spinal cord. We detected myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific CD4+ T cells in peripheral lymphoid organs of CD8-depleted animals which, however, failed to differentiate into interferon-γ-producing effector cells. Our results indicate that CD8+ T cells interact with myelin-specific CD4+ T cells early in EAE enabling them to differentiate into pathogenic effector cells.


Many studies can claim to re-invent the wheel, however some times the wheel gets broken.

The role of CD8 T cells may be unclear in MS, are they anti-viral? 
The role in most EAE models, I thought was pretty clear, until today. 

After years of studies in EAE documenting that blockade of CD8 positive T cells either does nothing or augments EAE, now we find it inhibits EAE. 


It is suggested that the CD8 cells help the CD4 cells to become damaging cells. I wonder if this has anything to do with the likelihood that rat macrophages can express CD8!

Is this how Alemtuzumab works?

Labels: