Degradation of basic protein and Wolfgram protein in central nervous system by soluble enzymes of human peripheral polymorphonuclear leucocytes.

The present communication describes the ability of soluble enzymes (SE) of peripheral polymorphonuclear leucocytes of control and multiple sclerosis (MS) patients to degrade major myelin proteins of MS and control myelin. MS and control SE degraded in situ both Wolfgram protein (WP) and basic protein (BP) of isolated myelin. No differences were found between the action of control and MS patients SE on myelin. However, significantly less degradation of BP and WP in control myelin compared to that in MS myelin was found. Only 30% of SE samples (both control and MS) degraded significant amounts of proteolipid protein in myelin. It is postulated that SE associated demyelination in MS may be a factor contributing to the demyelinating process.