GENETIC-CONTROL OF EXPERIMENTAL AUTOIMMUNE ENCEPHALOMYELITIS IN THE RAT

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a T cell-mediated dis ease of the central nervous system, is considered as model for multipl e sclerosis. The role played by MHC and non-MHC-linked genes in the oc currence of neurological symptoms of EAE, inflammatory infiltrates, an d demyelinating lesions, were investigated on 204 (LEW x BN)F2 hybrids . Although the importance of a MHC-linked gene was confirmed, the pres ence of a RT1(1) haplotype was not sufficient to induce a strong histo logical reaction or neurological manifestations. This clearly indicate s that other genes are influencing EAE expression.