Autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) in genetically resistant mice mediated by a T cell line.

Experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) can be induced in genetically susceptible strains of mice by immunization to mouse thyroglobulin (Tg). EAT also can be produced by administration of anti-mouse Tg T cell lines and clones. Previously we were able to raise virulent anti-Tg T cell lines from mice genetically susceptible to EAT. These virulent lines, upon attenuation, were able to vaccinate the susceptible mice against EAT. We now report the isolation of a virulent T cell line from C57BL/6 mice genetically resistant to EAT. The T cell line and its clones recognize a Tg epitope cross-reactive between mouse and bovine Tg. Unexpectedly, the virulent anti-Tg line attenuated in various ways failed to vaccinate C57BL/6 mice against EAT mediated by the line itself. These results shed some light on the regulation of autoimmunity.