Suppression and reversal of allergic encephalomyelitis in rhesus monkeys with basic protein and peptides.

We have extended earlier studies on the suppression of clinically evident experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in monkeys, repeated injections of human basis protein. The results confirm that after suppressive treatment, recovered animals remain clinically normal and do not show spontaneous recurrence of symptoms. However, recovered animals are susceptible to EAE upon renewed challenge, and they develop the disease more rapidly and more severely than after the initial challenge; resuppression is also accomplished in these cases by the same methods used previously. The results indicate further that the basic protein or peptide T administered without mycobacteria is effective in suppressing the development of basic protein-induced EAE regardless of the species from which it was derived.