Abstract
Mice are protected from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) when fed myelin basic protein (MBP). Thymectomized mice do not exhibit oral tolerance. We found evidence for two mechanisms to explain the role of the thymus in oral tolerance: a site for deletion of autoreactive T cells and a source of regulatory T cells.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / immunology*
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Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / prevention & control*
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Immune Tolerance*
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Immunity, Mucosal*
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Mice
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Mice, Transgenic
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Mouth Mucosa / immunology*
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Myelin Basic Protein / immunology*
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Myelin Basic Protein / therapeutic use
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Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / genetics
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Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology
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Thymectomy
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Thymus Gland / immunology*
Substances
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Myelin Basic Protein
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Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell