Essential chemical requirements for induction of allergic encephalomyelitis

Abnormal hormonal control of gut hydrolytic enzymes causes autoimmune attack on the CNS by production of immune-mimic and adjuvant molecules: A comprehensive explanation for the induction of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is generally thought to be caused by an autoimmune attack on central nervous system (CNS) myelin. A microorganism containing a mimic of an immunogenic region of a myelin protein initiates the autoimmune process. However, no specific "MS" microorganism has been found. Recently a large number of normal human gut bacteria were found to possess different encephalitogenic mimics. A hypothesis is presented that the autoimmune process is started by abnormal proteolytic digestion of these bacteria. Sufficient quantities of the mimics are produced to be recognized by the immune system. Since proteolytic processes in the gut are strictly controlled, it is proposed that the MS process is triggered by abnormal hormonal control of gut proteolytic enzymes. It has previously been suggested that the recognition of CNS myelin antigens by activated MS immune cells is facilitated by proteolytic processing of myelin proteins. The CNS proteases are also under rigid control and these control processes are the same as is in the gut. Therefore, MS clinical activity is the result of improper hydrolytic degradation in the brain-gut axis caused by an abnormal hormonal variation.

Molecular mimicry revisited: gut bacteria and multiple sclerosis

Molecular mimicry is a possible explanation for autoimmune side effects of microorganism infections. Protein sequences from a particular microorganism are compared to known autoimmune immunogens. For diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), where the infectious agent is unknown, guesses to its identity are made. Mimics are assumed to be rare. This study takes a radically different approach. Reported sequences from all known human bacterial and viral agents were searched for autoimmune immunogen mimics. Three encephalitogenic peptides, whose autoimmune requirements have been studied extensively, were selected for comparison. Mimics were seen in a wide variety of organisms. For each immunogen, the mimics were found predominantly in nonpathogenic gut bacteria. Since the three immunogens used in this study are related to MS, it is suggested that a microorganism responsible for autoimmune activity in MS could be a normally occurring gut bacterium. This would explain many of the peculiar MS epidemiological data and why no infective agent has been identified for MS and supports recently found MS gut metabolism abnormalities.

Antigen-specific therapies in multiple sclerosis: going beyond proteins and peptides

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex immune-mediated disease resulting largely from an autoimmune attack against components of central nervous system myelin, including several proteins and lipids. Knowledge about the details of this anomalous immune response has come mostly from studies in the animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In this model, it has been possible to prevent and effectively treat established disease through several antigen-specific therapeutic strategies, which have included administration of whole myelin or myelin proteins by various routes, random copolymers consisting of the main major histocompatability complex (MHC) and T-cell receptor (TCR) contact amino acid residues, altered peptide ligands of dominant myelin epitopes in which one or more residues are selectively substituted, and lately DNA vaccination encoding self-myelin antigens. However, there have been difficulties in making successful transitions from animal models to human clinical trials, due either to lack of efficacy or unforeseen complications. Despite these problems, antigen-specific therapies have retained their attraction for clinicians and scientists alike, and hopefully the upcoming generation of agents--including altered peptide ligands and DNA vaccines--will benefit from the increasing knowledge about this disease and surmount existing difficulties to make an impact in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Histo-clinical variation in multiple sclerosis: Heterogeneous proteolytic immunogenic processing

Multiple sclerosis (MS) presents an incredible histo-clinical variation. It consists of an unpredictable series of relapses, remissions and stationary phases. The initial symptoms vary considerably. Any hypothesis of the pathology of MS must include an explanation of this oddity. Current theory suggests that MS is a collection of diseases which produce generally the same result. However, this is not a satisfactory explanation. MS appears as an enormous continuum of disease paths rather than a finite group of well-defined courses. A hypothesis is presented that histo-clinical variation in MS is due to variable proteolytic processing of several potential immunogens. MS is generally thought to be caused by an autoimmune attack on myelin components. Several myelin proteins, myelin basic protein, lipoprotein, oligodendrocyte related glycoprotein and oligodendrocyte basic protein, are encephalitogenic. Within these proteins are short sequences, which themselves are encephalitogenic. In order for potential immunogens to be "seen" by the immune system they first must be processed. This processing is performed by intracellular and extracellular proteases. A large number of different proteases are located throughout the central nervous system. Their concentrations vary with location and time. Most are under strict control. While myelin has a consistent structure, the action of proteases can present variable concentrations of immunogenic peptides. Because of the differences in location, concentration and control of the central nervous system's (CNS) proteases, the same potential immunogen could be presented to the immune system in different locations within the CNS at different times. At a given time and location, the immune system may be presented with no potential immunogens, one potential immunogen or possibly many immunogens. Therefore, because of the dynamic characteristic of presentation, one would expect to see the initial MS symptoms to be variable. This variability would be continued with subsequent symptoms. This is what is seen in multiple sclerosis. A procedure for testing this hypothesis is presented.

Molecular mimicry or structural mimicry?

"Molecular mimicry" should be changed to "structural mimicry". The immune system recognizes shapes--three-dimensional shapes--not sequences. For two sequences to act biologically similar they must possess similar three-dimensional structures.

Unique clinical and pathological features in HLA-DRB1*0401-restricted MBP 111-129-specific humanized TCR transgenic mice

Amino acid residues 111–129 represent an immunodominant epitope of myelin basic protein (MBP) in humans with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1*0401 allele(s). The MBP 111–129–specific T cell clone MS2-3C8 was repeatedly isolated from a patient with multiple sclerosis (MS), suggesting an involvement of MS2-3C8 T cells in the pathogenesis. To address the pathogenic potential of the MS2-3C8 T cell clone, we generated transgenic (Tg) mice expressing its T cell receptor and restriction element, HLA-DRB1*0401, to examine the pathogenic characteristics of MS2-3C8 Tg T cells by adoptive transfer into HLA-DRB1*0401 Tg mice. In addition to the ascending paralysis typical of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, mice displayed dysphagia due to restriction in jaw and tongue movements and abnormal gait. In accordance with the clinical phenotype, infiltrates of MS2-3C8 Tg T cells and inflammatory lesions were predominantly located in the brainstem and the cranial nerve roots in addition to the spinal cord and spinal nerve roots. Together, these data suggest a pathogenic role of MBP-specific T cells in inflammatory demyelination within the brainstem and cranial nerve roots during the progression of MS. This notion may help to explain the clinical and pathological heterogeneity of MS.

Immunodominance of a low-affinity major histocompatibility complex-binding myelin basic protein epitope (residues 111-129) in HLA-DR4 (B1*0401) subjects is associated with a restricted T cell receptor repertoire

The pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is currently ascribed in part to a T cell-mediated process targeting myelin components. The T cell response to one candidate autoantigen, myelin basic protein (MBP), in the context of HLA-DR15Dw2, has been previously studied in detail. However, the characteristics of cellular immunity in the context of other MS-associated HLA-DR haplotypes are scarcely known. MBP-specific T cell lines (TCL) were generated from HLA-DR4 (B1*0401)-positive MS subjects. Out of 275 MBP-specific TCL, 178 (64. 7%) specifically recognized region MBP(111-129), predominantly in the context of DRB1*0401. The major T cell epitope for MBP recognition corresponded to residues MBP(116-123). These TCL expressed disparate profiles of cytokine secretion and cytotoxicity. T cell receptor analysis, on the other hand, revealed a strikingly limited heterogeneity of rearrangements. In contrast to MBP(81-99), which binds with high affinity to HLA-DR15 and is recognized by a diverse T cell repertoire, MBP(111-129) binds weakly to DRB1*0401, suggesting that only high affinity T cell receptors might be able to efficiently engage such unstable MHC/peptide complexes, thus accounting for the T cell receptor restriction we observed. This study provides new insight about MBP recognition and proposes an alternative mechanism for immunodominance of self-antigen T cell epitopes in humans.

Synthetic approaches to vaccines for infectious and autoimmune diseases

The development is outlined of some synthetic vaccines against infectious diseases, in particular cholera, shigella and influenza. In the last case, use of the synthetic adjuvant MDP in combination with a haemagglutinin peptide has led to a synthetic vaccine with built-in adjuvanticity. The production of vaccines both by chemical synthesis and genetic engineering is described. The successful use of the synthetic amino acid copolymer COP-1 as an immunomodulatory vaccine to suppress the onset of allergic encephalomyelitis in experimental animals has led to clinical trials with patients suffering from exacerbating remitting multiple sclerosis. T-cell vaccination is an alternative approach to immunization against autoimmune diseases.

Suppression of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis by the encephalitogenic peptide, in solution or bound to liposomes

We have investigated the ability of liposome-bound encephalitogenic peptide to suppress experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in the guinea pig. EAE was induced by challenge with the encephalitogenic peptide, residues 113-122 of human myelin basic protein (MBP) in complete Freund's adjuvant. The peptide was acylated with stearic acid in order to anchor it to the lipid bilayer. The liposomal-bound peptide effectively suppressed clinical signs of EAE at relatively low doses, when given subcutaneously or intraperitoneally without incomplete Freund's adjuvant, several days after challenge. In vitro proliferation of lymphocytes from treated, protected animals in response to the peptide was greatly decreased but that to the purified protein derivative of tuberculin antigen was not, indicating an antigen-specific effect. However, histological signs of EAE were not reduced. The free peptide in solution was somewhat less effective when given intraperitoneally but was as or nearly as effective as liposome-bound peptide when given subcutaneously. Binding to liposomes may decrease the rate of clearance or degradation of the peptide when given intraperitoneally.

Distribution of glutamine and asparagine residues and their near neighbors in peptides and proteins

In a statistical study of neighboring residues in 1465 peptides and proteins comprising 450,431 residues, it was found that the preferences for residues neighboring to glutamine and asparagine residues are consistent with the hypothesis that the rates of deamidation of these residues are of biological significance. Some dipeptide and tripeptide structures have special usefulness and some are especially undesirable. More such structures exist for amide residues than for other residues, and their specific types are those most relevant to the deamidation of amide residues under biological conditions.

Peptide displacement of [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine binding to bovine cortical membranes

Chemical studies have demonstrated that peptides such as the encephalitogenic (EAE) peptide of myelin basic protein (MBP) and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) can bind serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) in vitro. The present research was undertaken to determine whether such binding interferes with 5-HT binding to its 5-HT1 receptors on bovine cerebral cortical membranes. EAE peptide and LHRH displaced [3H]5-HT with IC50s of 4.0 x 10(-4) and 1.8 x 10(-3) M respectively. MBP itself also showed apparent displacing ability with an IC50 of 6.0 x 10(-5) M, though it also caused aggregation of cortical membranes that might have interfered with normal receptor binding. These results support previous suggestions that the tryptophan peptide region of MBP may act as a 5-HT receptor in the neural system. We also tested the effects of muramyl dipeptide (N-acetyl-muramyl-L-Ala-D-isoGln, MD), a bacterial cell-wall breakdown product that acts as a slow-wave sleep promoter, binds to LHRH and EAE peptide, and competes for 5-HT binding sites on macrophages. It showed no significant displacement of 5-HT binding to cortical membranes (IC50 greater than 10(-1) M), but its D-Ala analogue did (IC50 = 1.7 x 10(-3) M). Thus, it seems likely that the 5-HT-related effects of naturally occurring muramyl peptides are physiologically limited by receptor types.

Serotonin binding sites. II. Muramyl dipeptide binds to serotonin binding sites on myelin basic protein, LHRH, and MSH-ACTH 4-10

Previously, we reported the existence of structurally similar serotonin binding sites on myelin basic protein, LHRH, and MSH-ACTH 4-10. We now report that the adjuvant peptide, muramyl dipeptide (N-acetyl-muramyl-L-Ala-D-isoGln) also binds to these sites. This observation may help to explain previous observations of serotonin-like activity by muramyl peptides, including the promotion of slow-wave sleep and fever induction. The observation may also provide an important link between the immune system and the nervous system that may explain the role of muramyl dipeptide adjuvants in causing autoimmune diseases to serotonin-regulated proteins and their receptors, as well as the alterations in serotonin levels that are often observed in autoimmune diseases. The observation provides concrete evidence for a dual-antigen hypothesis for the induction of autoimmune diseases by an adjuvant-peptide complex. Application of such a mechanism for induction of autoimmunity may be of importance in understanding a number of postinfectious and postvaccinal neuropathies, and suggests a possible etiology for autism, in which many patients have high blood serotonin levels, autoimmune reactions to myelin basic protein, and antibodies to serotonin binding sites. Finally, the observation suggests that glycopeptides may act as neurotransmitters.

Shark myelin basic protein: amino acid sequence, secondary structure, and self-association

Myelin basic protein (MBP) from the Whaler shark (Carcharhinus obscurus) has been purified from acid extracts of a chloroform/methanol pellet from whole brains. The amino acid sequence of the majority of the protein has been determined and compared with the sequences of other MBPs. The shark protein has only 44% homology with the bovine protein, but, in common with other MBPs, it has basic residues distributed throughout the sequence and no extensive segments that are predicted to have an ordered secondary structure in solution. Shark MBP lacks the triproline sequence previously postulated to form a hairpin bend in the molecule. The region containing the putative consensus sequence for encephalitogenicity in the guinea pig contains several substitutions, thus accounting for the lack of activity of the shark protein. Studies of the secondary structure and self-association have shown that shark MBP possesses solution properties similar to those of the bovine protein, despite the extensive differences in primary structure.

A fractal model of chromosomes and chromosomal DNA replication

With the aim of clarifying topological problems involved in the process of chromosomal DNA replication, a fractal model of chromosomes was built based on the assumption that a part of a chromosome, e.g. a radial loop, is similar in shape to a whole chromosome and each radial loop represents structures in the lower-order organization (an assumption of self-similarity). Several other assumptions used include (i) one continuous DNA fiber makes a whole chromosome (a unineme hypothesis), (ii) in situ DNA exists in the form of a double duplex or a tetraplex which is made of two duplex DNAs, although a duplex DNA may appear transiently in S-phase (multi-strandedness hypothesis) and (iii) torsional stress on a DNA fiber causes the fiber to supercoil and thus stabilizes chromosome structure (torque-based stabilization). This model allowed to calculate of a fractal dimension of a representative metaphase chromosome (e.g. d = 2.34), to predict the mode of replication of double duplex and to furnish a topological basis for the decondensation unit hypothesis. It must also be admitted that all the arguments in this report except for the possible existence of split telomeres hold true without assuming a tetraplex organization of chromosomes. Implications of this model was discussed and the importance of the fractal dimension as a measure of chromatin condensation stressed.

Clinical suppression of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis by muramyl dipeptide "adjuvant"

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a model for several human diseases including multiple sclerosis and post-vaccinal encephalopathies. EAE is generally thought to be an autoimmune response to the antigen myelin basic protein (MBP). Oddly, MBP can also suppress EAE, and many observations suggest that an independent immune response to so-called "adjuvant" material is also necessary to EAE induction. Thus, EAE may be a result of a pair of interactive immune responses, one against MBP, and one against adjuvant. If so, the adjuvant should, like MBP, suppress EAE. We present data from experiments on strain 13 guinea pigs demonstrating EAE suppression by muramyl dipeptide, an active component of complete Freund's adjuvant. These results are striking because classically adjuvants are defined as immunopotentiators, not immunosuppressants. Our results, therefore, suggest that a revaluation of the role of adjuvants in inducing autoimmune diseases may be necessary.

Treatment of cancer by alteration of a cancer specific surface membrane epitope

Since cancer is essentially a cell surface problem with loss of contact inhibition, effort might be directed to restoring such inhibition by interfering with activity of new determinants on the cancer cell surface associated with the contact inhibition loss.

Simple and rapid identification of phosphorylated peptides from bovine brain myelin basic protein by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

The phosphorylation sites of the myelin basic protein from bovine brain were determined after phosphorylation with a cyclic 3':5'-phosphate-dependent protein kinase from the same source. Three phosphorylated peptides were selectively and rapidly separated, before and after dephosphorylation, by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography on a styrene 250 column under alkaline conditions. Partial sequencing of the peptides by automated Edman degradation revealed that the serine-115 residue located in the main encephalitogenic determinant of the protein was a phosphorylation site, in addition to the two phosphorylation sites established (threonine-34 and serine-55).

Isolation of the human myelin basic protein by immunoaffinity chromatography with a monoclonal antibody

Immunoaffinity chromatography has been developed for the isolation of the human myelin basic protein (MBP). The method is based on the use of a monoclonal antibody which was produced to bovine MBP, cross-reacting with human MBP. The protein isolated from acidic extracts of the brain proteins was shown to be native MBP by its immunochemical reactivity, by its ability to elicit experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and by its mol. wt (18,600 +/- 400). It represented a single-band purity after hypersensitive silver staining. The MBP isolated by the method described represents a higher purity than that of the MBP purified by conventional multistep biochemical separation techniques.

Serotonin binding sites. I. Structures of sites on myelin basic protein, LHRH, MSH, ACTH, interferon, serum albumin, ovalbumin and red pigment concentrating hormone

We report the results of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies of combinations of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) with the tryptophan peptide sequence and similar peptides from myelin basic protein. The binding site appears to consist of the sequence Arg Phe Ser Trp. Similar serotonin binding sites were found to exist on LHRH (Tyr Ser Trp) and MSH-ACTH tetrapeptide (Phe Arg Trp). These binding sites are specific to serotonin as is demonstrated by lack of binding by dopamine, histamine, acetylcholine and a dozen other pharmacologically active amines and indoles. Drugs known to affect serotonin levels, e.g., fenfluramine and L-DOPA, bind weakly to these sites. Structural and functional similarities between the tryptophan peptide, LHRH, and MSH-ACTH with an ACTH-like peptide of human leukocyte interferon, with human and bovine serum albumin, hen ovalbumin, and with red pigment concentrating hormone suggest that the latter peptides may also contain similar serotonin binding sites. The elucidation of serotonin binding sites on these peptides and proteins has implications for understanding various aspects of cancer, autoimmunity, neurological disease, and peptide hormone control.

Cellular immunity to encephalitogenic peptide in tumour-bearing mice

Mice bearing a methylcholanthrene-induced tumour were tested for their cell mediated reactivity to the experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) peptide of human myelin basic protein (MBP) in the leucocyte adherence inhibition (LAI) test. Tested over a range of peptide concentrations, peritoneal cells (PC) from tumour-bearing mice exhibited optimal adherence inhibition at 640 ng/ml; PC from normal and parasite-infected mice were unreactive. The EAE peptide also stimulated PC from tumour-bearing mice in the E-rosette augmentation (ERA) test and in the macrophage migration inhibition (MMI) test. MMI appeared to be the most sensitive assay, in that significant reaction at peptide concentrations well below those giving significant LAI and ERA. LAI reactivity to the peptide was detected 5 days after tumour transplantation, and continued to be detectable even with very large tumours. In vitro assays were confirmed by demonstration of EAE peptide recognition in vivo, in tumour-bearing and tumour-excised mice, using the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction. The present experiments demonstrate an antigenic determinant in murine tumours, similar to the well-characterized EAE peptide of human MBP, and establish an animal model for study and characterization of common tumour-associated antigens.

Electrophoretic mobility test (EMT): studies on lymphocyte response and mechanism of the test using a rat tumor model

After incubation with an encephalitogenic factor from human (HEF) or rat (REF) brain, lymphocytes of Fischer 344 rats bearing a spontaneous mammary adenocarcinoma produced a soluble substance which reduced the mobility of tanned sheep red blood cells in the electrophoretic mobility test (EMT). For studying the kinetics of this lymphocyte response, 6 X 10(5) tumor cells were injected into the hind footpad. In correlation with time and tumor size, one was able to influence the appearance of metastases by amputation of the leg. As early as 16 hours after inoculation of tumor cells, sensitivity of lymphocytes against HEF and a KCl-extract of the tumor could be shown in the EMT. It decreased on days 2 and 5, but was still seen until the day of amputation. Rats without metastases showed sensitivity up to four weeks after amputation and then returned to normal levels. Rats with metastases showed sensitivity until death at about seven weeks later. With the use of Amicon membranes, Sephadex G-50, and ion-exchange chromatography, a protein could be isolated from human basic myelin extract with a molecular weight of about 16,000-20,000 daltons. It had no direct influence on the EIC by itself, but after incubation with lymphocytes from tumor-bearing rats it evoked the production of a slowing substance. Using Sephadex G-100, the slowing substance appeared in the region in front of BSA indicating a molecular weight of greater than 80,000 daltons. It was heat-stable for 30 min at 56 degrees C and was sensitive to trypsin.

Encephalitis induced in rabbits by staphylococcal lipoteichoic acid

Rabbits were immunized with staphylococcal lipoteichoic acid (LTA) in Freund's adjuvant. After four injections (six weeks) the rabbits showed decreased activity and unsteadiness of the head. Two weeks after the sixth injection (ten weeks), two of five rabbits developed clinical signs of encephalitis with nystagmus, ataxia, general weakness, decreased activity, and dragging of the hind legs. The other three animals showed only mild symptoms. Neuropathological examination showed inflammatory infiltrates containing small lymphocytes and some plasma cells in the leptomeninges and within the perivascular spaces of the brain.

Myelin lipophilin-induced demyelinating disease of the central nervous system

Purified lipophilin, a hydrophobic lipoprotein of myelin, induces a cell-mediated demyelinating disease of the central nervous system similar to experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced by the myelin basic protein (MBP). Guinea pigs challenged with lipophilin (emulsified with CFA) developed clinical and histological signs of disease indistinguishable from those developed by animals similarly challenged with MBP. Both lipophilin and MBP induced and elicited delayed-type hypersensitivity in animals challenged with respective antigens. Tryptophan, an essential component of the MBP-determinant for disease in guinea pigs, is required for the encephalitogenicity of lipophilin.

Precise determination of protein antigenic structures has unravelled the molecular immune recognition of proteins and provided a prototype for synthetic mimicking of other protein binding sites

Intensive research in the author's laboratory had culminated in the determination and synthesis of all the antigenic sites of myoglobin in 1975 and of lysozyme in 1978. Very recently most of the antigenic sites of serum albumin were also localized and synthesized. These investigations provided the first unique insight into the molecular features responsible for the immune recognition of protein antigens and of the factors which determine and regulate the antigenicity of the sites. But moreover, these studies have charted a multi-approach chemical strategy for investigation and synthetic duplication of protein binding sites. Furthermore, the concept of 'surface-simulation' synthesis, which we introduced and developed during our determination of the antigenic structure of lysozyme, has provided a remarkable dimension of unlimited versatility for the synthetic mimicking of any type of protein binding sites. In this concept, the spatially adjacent residues of a protein binding site are linked directly via peptide bonds with appropriate spacers into a single peptide which does not exist in the protein but mimicks a surface region of it. This has proved to be a powerful concept in protein molecular recognition and has opened up many untapped avenues in investigation, duplication and perhaps manipulation of a variety of protein activities. In fact, binding sites representing other protein activities (including antibody combining sites) have or are now being mimicked synthetically in our laboratory by the concept of surface-simulation synthesis.

Has myelin basic protein received a fair trial in the treatment of multiple sclerosis?

Autosensitization to some central nervous system antigen still remains one of the best hypotheses for the continuing pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Enough is now known about the cause, pathogenesis, and treatment of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) to test this hypothesis. Reports of therapeutic failure of the encephalitogen myelin basic protein (BP) in the treatment of MS have their counterparts in similar therapeutic failures in EAE. Only highly inbred strain 13 guinea pigs respond consistently to BP therapy, and this only when BP is administered in relatively high doses. Noninbred guinea pigs respond much less well to simple BP therapy, and monkeys hardly at all. In both strains of monkeys so far studied, a nonspecific adjunctive factor--an antibiotic in Macaca mulatta and a steroid in Macaca fascicularis--is also required. Accordingly, human trials of the therapeutic efficacy of BP in MS should include its administration in large concentrations together with an adjunctive agent.

High dose inhibition of the tryptophan peptide induced encephalitogenicity

In a previous publication (Immunol. Comm. 3:219, 1974) a hypothesis was proposed that the high dose inhibition of encephalitogenicity in giunea pigs seen with the tryptophan peptide, phe ser trp gly ala glu gly gln arg, and not observed with the whole myelin basic protein which contains this sequence, was the result of competitive inhibition by non-encephalitogenic fragments of the tryptophan peptide produced in vivo possibly by exopeptidases. I present data which disagrees with this hypothesis.

Molecular bases for the difference in the potency of myelin basic protein from different species in Lewis rats

The results of this study define the chemical bases for the difference in the encephalitogenic potency reported for the bovine and guinea pig myelin basic proteins. Studies with synthetic peptides showed that the sequence of peptide S53, H-Ser-Gln-Arg-Ser-Gln-Asp-Glu-Asn-OH, which is native to the guinea pig basic protein, is the minimum amino acid sequence necessary for inducing EAE in Lewis rats. The results of this study further showed that specific sequence modifications rendered the native bovine sequence highly encephalitogenic.