Prevention of retrocochlear hearing loss in murine experimental allergic encephalitis with T cell receptor Vβ8-specific antibody

Abstract

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal model of a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease, for example multiple sclerosis (MS). We demonstrated that EAE mice developed retrocochlear hearing loss and the lesion of the auditory pathway might be related to T cell receptor (TCR) Vβ8-expressing T cells. To investigate whether anti-Vβ8 antibody could prevent hearing loss, brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) histological examinations were carried out in antibody treated and control myelin basic protein (MBP) immunized B10.PL mice. The antibody was administered just before immunization of MBP. The disease incidence and severity were significantly reduced in the mice injected with the antibody. The results of BAEPs and histological examinations indicated that depletion of Vβ8-expressing T cells causes the prevention of hearing loss as well as prevention of other neurological deficits. The development of TCR specific antibody therapy might help treat retrocochlear hearing loss in MS.