Demyelination in vitro. Absorption studies demonstrate that galactocerebroside is a major target.

Myelinated cultures of mouse spinal cord have been exposed to sera raised in rabbits against whole white matter (anti-WM), myelin basic protein (anti-MBP) and galactocerebroside (anti-GC), the major glycolipid of CNS myelin, to determine which factor in central nervous system (CNS) tissue in vitro is the target of serum demyelinating and myelin swelling antibodies. The sera were tested by radioimmunoassay for activity against MBP and against GC and were also specifically absorbed with MBP, GC and control antigens. Studies were also performed with and without active complement. The findings show that demyelination and myelin swelling in vitro are caused by antibodies against GC and not against MBP. Ultrastructurally, the effects of anti-WM and anti-GC sera with and without complement were indistinguishable. This study demonstrates that GC is a major target in antibody-mediated demyelination.