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The role of myelin P 2 protein in the production of experimental allergic neuritis
Author(s) -
Rostami Abdolmohammad,
Brown Mark J.,
Lisak Robert P.,
Summer Austin J.,
Zweiman Burton,
Pleasure David E.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
annals of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.764
H-Index - 296
eISSN - 1531-8249
pISSN - 0364-5134
DOI - 10.1002/ana.410160610
Subject(s) - myelin , neuritis , myelin basic protein , sensitization , adjuvant , medicine , antigen , immunology , serine , chemistry , biochemistry , endocrinology , central nervous system , enzyme , surgery
Myelin P 2 protein has been proposed as the primary antigen in whole myelin‐induced experimental allergic neuritis (EAN). We investigated the neuritogenic properties of P 2 by sensitizing Lewis rats with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) containing P 2 , P 2 plus phosphatidyl serine, or whole myelin containing an equivalent amount of P 2 . Animals were examined using a battery of clinical, electrophysiological, immunological, and morphological methods. Myelinimmunized rats developed the characteristic features of EAN. P 2 ‐sensitized rats developed a similar but much less intense disorder. When rats were sensitized with P 2 in the presence of phosphatidyl serine, however, they developed radiculoneuropathy that was indistinguishable from myelin‐induced EAN. Inoculation with phosphatidyl serine plus complete Freund's adjuvant or complete Freund's adjuvant alone had no detectable effect on peripheral nerves. These studies demonstrate that sensitization of rats with a single myelin antigen, P 2 protein, is sufficient to induce the clinical, electrophysiological, and neuropathological features of EAN.