The distribution of immunoglobulins and albumin in the central nervous system in acute experimental allergic encephalomyelitis.

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced in young male Lewis rats. Immunohistochemical visualisation of albumin and IgG in the nervous tissue was performed at intervals after induction. The results were correlated to the histological appearance of the tissue. Albumin appeared in the tissue about day 10, 1-2 days before IgG. Within one day both proteins spread from sharply defined perivascular subpial locations to diffuse distribution throughout the tissue. Cellular inflammation was not seen until 3-4 days after extravasation of proteins. The cells also spread from perivascular locations to a diffuse infiltration of the tissue.