Camara, MonikaMonikaCamaraBeyersdorf, NiklasNiklasBeyersdorfFischer, Henrike J.Henrike J.FischerHerold, Marco J.Marco J.HeroldIp, Chi WangChi WangIpvan den Brandt, JensJensvan den BrandtToyka, Klaus V.Klaus V.ToykaTaurog, Joel D.Joel D.TaurogHuenig, ThomasThomasHuenigHerrmann, Thomas R.Thomas R.HerrmannReichardt, Holger MichaelHolger MichaelReichardtWeishaupt, AndreasAndreasWeishauptKerkau, ThomasThomasKerkau2018-11-072018-11-072013https://resolver.sub.uni-goettingen.de/purl?gro-2/29330The 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 leukocyte 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-gamma-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. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.journal_article10.1016/j.jneuroim.2013.04.01423664330000321093000003