Role of myelin antigens in murine relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis.

Delayed, relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (DR-EAE) has been shown to be a good model of multiple sclerosis. This disorder has been produced in mice by immunization with whole central nervous system (CNS) tissue and adjuvants. The ability of various myelin components to produce DR-EAE was studied. Guinea pig myelin basic protein was able to induce DR-EAE that was clinically and pathologically identical to disease produced by whole CNS. Both acute inflammatory and chronic demyelinating lesions were seen in the CNS. Allogeneic mouse myelin basic protein either alone or in combination with cerebrosides and/or gangliosides was not able to produce DR-EAE.