Subcutaneous administration of T-epitope sequences of the acetylcholine receptor prevents experimental myasthenia gravis

Immunization with acetylcholine receptor (AChR) causes experimental myasthenia gravis (EMG). The s.c. administration to C57B1/6 mice of synthetic AChR CD4⁺ epitopes, before and during AChR immunization, reduced the epitope-specific CD4⁺ responses and the anti-AChR Ab synthesis, and prevented EMG. The s.c. administration of solubilized AChR had effects similar to those of peptide treatment. Sham-tolerized mice had only Th1 anti- AChR cells, whereas peptide-treated mice had also Th2 cells, and Th2-induced anti-peptide Ab. Established EMG was not affected by s.c. peptide treatment, whereas it worsened after s.c. administration of solubilized AChR.