T cell sensitization to proteolipid protein in myelin basic protein-induced relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis.

(SJL/J x PL/J)F1 mice immunized with myelin basic protein (MBP) develop an autoimmune demyelinating disease termed relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (rEAE). The acute state of disease is mediated by CD4+ T cells specific for MBP amino acids 1-9. To determine the immunologic bases for disease relapse, host sensitization to additional autoantigens of the central nervous system was measured. Results indicate that most animals develop T cell reactivity to endogenous myelin proteolipid protein (PLP) during rEAE. However, PLP-specific immunity does not appear to account for expression of relapse episodes of demyelination.