Protective action of the encephalitogen and other basic proteins in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

Abstract

Various basic protein preparations have been investigated for their ability to protect guinea pigs from EAE. These protein preparations include identical active proteins isolated from human and bovine neural tissue. Treatment, both before and after challenge, with encephalitogen in complete Freund's adjuvant, was effective as evidence by the survival of all guinea pigs. Partial protection was provided by a basic protein preparation extracted from immature human brain and with a basic homogeneous protein isolated from bovine spinal cord. Both were tested prior to their use and found to be nonencephalitogenic. Some surviving guinea pigs, reinjected after 35 days, did not display signs of disease, indicating a prolonged state of acquired resistance. It was concluded that both human and bovine basic proteins can be used as effective inhibitory agents in EAE. This effect is equally efficient regardless of the species of origin of the antigen. More important, this study also has provided evidence that nonencephalitogenic neural proteins may also greatly reduce tha incidence of physical signs in EAE.