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Myelin basic protein (MBP) is a candidate Ag for the autoimmune process believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). To investigate the fine specificity and HLA restriction of human MBP-specific CTL, long term T cell lines (TCL) were established from 22 MS patients and 16 healthy individuals by repeated antigenic restimulation. By using this approach, MBP-specific cytotoxic TCL were generated from 81% of the lines from MS patients and 69% of those from controls. TCL from both groups expressed the CD3+, CD4+, CD8- phenotype and secreted substantial amounts of IFN-gamma. By using large enzymatic and small synthetic peptides of MBP, TCL were primarily specific for the C-terminal part of the molecule and to a lesser extent for the N-terminal portion. Two regions of the molecule, MBP peptide 87-106 and MBP peptide 154-172, were recognized by the majority of the …