Lysosomal enzymes in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis: time course and evidence of the source.

The lysosomal enzymes acid proteinase and beta-glucuronidase, were assayed in spinal cords of rats during the course of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). Histological and histochemical examination was carried out versus controls, in selected areas of the same cords biochemically assayed, to look at the distribution of the lysosomal enzyme acid phosphatase. The biochemical assay showed a significant increase of the enzyme activities during the disease and the increase was significantly correlated with the intensity of the disease. The distribution in the nervous tissue of the increase in acid phosphatase activity observed in animals with EAE, suggests that endogenous nervous cells may contribute to the lysosomal enzyme increase in EAE.