Immunologic activity of myelin basic protein in strain 2 and strain 13 guinea pigs.

The resistance of Strain 2 guinea pigs to experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced by inoculation with whole CNS tissue in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) has been confirmed. The resistance is even more pronounced when myelin basic protein (BP) is used in attempts to induce EAE. Strain 2 guinea pigs are also resistant to an immunization schedule (multiple injections with BP in IFA followed by a single injection of BP in CFA) known to induce significant levels of antibody in susceptible strains. The poor response of Strain 2 guinea pigs to BP is not the result of lack of specific B cells--antibody equivalent to that produced by Strain 13 animals is obtained when the inoculum contains 0.5 mg BP and 2.5 mycobacteria.