Influence of cerebroside and ganglioside on the encephalitogenic activity of myelin basic protein in guinea pigs

Abstract

The effect of 2 central nervous system glycolipids (cerebroside and ganglioside) on the encephalitogenic activity of bovine myelin basic protein (MBP) was studied in guinea pigs. Mixing each of these glycolipids with MBP and injection of these mixtures in Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FIA) abrogated the resistance to encephalomyelitis upon challenge with MBP in Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA). Primary injection of these glycolipid-MBP mixtures in FCA diminished the clinical signs of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) as compared to primary injection of MBP in FCA. Considering the amount of ganglioside needed to optimally induce these effects, this phenomenon seemed to be aspecific. However, with cerebroside, only minor quantities were sufficient, suggesting specific interaction with the basic protein. In several aspects, close correlation was found between cellular immune activity to MBP as measured by skin reactivity and the development of EAE.