Antigen-induced inhibition of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. IV. Studies of the C-terminal end of the myelin basic protein molecule (1).

The C-terminal end of the myelin basic protein (BP) molecule (peptide 117.170) was obtained by cleavage with BNPS-skatole, and purified by gel filtration. Peptide 117-170 from guinea pig BP induced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in Lewis rats, whereas the corresponding peptide from bovine BP was inactive. Neither peptide showed more than trace activity when tested in guinea pigs. Guinea pigs and rats treated with peptide 117-170 in incomplete Freund adjuvant were not rendered unresponsive to EAE induced by subsequent challenge with an encephalitogenic emulsion of BP in complete Freund adjuvant. Indeed, peptide-pretreated rats tended to develop clinical EAE significantly earlier than untreated controls.