Encephalitogenic activity of guinea pig myelin basic protein in the SJL mouse.

GPBP was shown to be encephalitogenic in SJL mice by direct challenge and in experiments in which an adoptive transfer system was employed. The three fragments obtained by treating GPBP with pepsin were assessed in the same manner. The encephalitogenic activity resided in the C terminal half of the molecule (residues 89-169). LNC also proliferated to the same fragment in vitro. Fragments 1-37, and, to a lesser extent, 44-48 stimulated sensitized LNC to proliferate but did not induce disease.