Recognition of M. leprae antigens

1. Front Matter

   Pages 1-6

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2. Introduction

   • Tom Ottenhoff, René de Vries

   Pages 7-11

3. MHC Class II Ir/Is Gene Controlled Antigen Specific T Cell Activation and Disease Susceptibility: Leprosy, a Human Model

   • Tom Ottenhoff, René de Vries

   Pages 12-51

4. HLA Class-II-Restricted Mycobacterium Leprae-Reactive T-Cell Clones from Leprosy Patients Established with a Minimal Requirement for Autologous Mononuclear Cells

   • Tom Ottenhoff, René de Vries

   Pages 52-60

5. Mycobacterium Leprae Specific Protein Antigens Defined by Cloned Human Helper T Cells

   • Tom Ottenhoff, René De Vries

   Pages 61-67

6. Cloned Suppressor T Cells from a Lepromatous Leprosy Patient Suppress Mycobacterium Leprae Reactive Helper T Cells

   • Tom Ottenhoff, René De Vries

   Pages 68-76

7. Molecular Localization and Polymorphism of HLA Class II Restriction Determinants Defined By Mycobacterium Leprae Reactive Helper T Cell Clones from Leprosy Patients

   • Tom Ottenhoff, René De Vries

   Pages 77-100

8. HLA-DR3 Molecules are the Products of an HLA Class II Immune Regulator Gene for Mycobacterium Leprae Predisposing to Tuberculoid Leprosy

   • Tom Ottenhoff, René De Vries

   Pages 101-124

9. Evidence for an HLA-DR4 Associated Immune Response gene for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis: A Clue to the Pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

   • Tom Ottenhoff, René De Vries

   Pages 125-134

10. General Discussion: Mycobacterium Leprae Specific Activation of Helper and Suppressor T Cells and its Regulation by HLA Class II Genes and Products

    • Tom Ottenhoff, René De Vries

    Pages 135-151

11. Short Summary

    • Tom Ottenhoff, René de Vries

    Pages 152-153

Those who have had the privilege to visit the Sistine Chapel may remember the fres­ co painting of Jesus curing the leper (Marcus 1, 40-45). It seems that leprosy was not only known 2000 years ago but was also recognized as an important problem. Unfortunately, little has changed since then. Although leprosy is mainly known as an "import" disease in Europe and North America, in the greater part of the world it remains the problem it has always been, one of a stigmatizing disease comparable to the modern day pestilence, namely AIDS. Who could forget Durer's etch of a leper walking with a clapper to an­ nounce his presence, or the heartbreaking stories of patients, especially those with lepromatous leprosy, ousted by their own families to become social outcasts forced to beg for their food. This attitude is slowly changing and with this change the name of Mahatma Ghandi will always be connected and remembered.

• Antigen
• Lepra
• T cell
• cell
• gene
• pathogenesis
• tuberculosis
• infectious diseases

• Department of Immunohematology and Blood Bank, University Hospital, Leiden, The Netherlands

  Tom Ottenhoff, René Vries

• Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia

  Tom Ottenhoff

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