B- and T-Cell Responses in Group A Streptococcus M-Protein- or Peptide-Induced Experimental Carditis

Abstract

ABSTRACT The etiology of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease (RF/RHD) is believed to be autoimmune, involving immune responses initiated between streptococcal and host tissue proteins through a molecular mimicry mechanism(s). We sought to investigate the humoral and cellular responses elicited in a Lewis rat model of group A streptococcus M-protein- or peptide-induced experimental valvulitis/carditis, a recently developed animal model which may, in part, represent human rheumatic carditis. Recombinant streptococcal M5 protein elicited opsonic antibodies in Lewis rats, and anti-M5 antisera recognized epitopes within the B- and C-repeat regions of M5. One peptide from the streptococcal M5 protein B-repeat region (M5-B.6, amino acids 161 to 180) induced lymphocytes that responded to both recombinant M5 and cardiac myosin. Rats immunized with streptococcal M5 protein developed valvular lesions, distinguished by infiltration of CD3 + , CD4 + , and CD68 + cells into valve tissue, consistent with human studies that suggest that RF/RHD are mediated by inflammatory CD4 + T cells and CD68 + macrophages. The current study provides additional information that supports the use of the rat autoimmune valvulitis model for investigating RF/RHD.