INDUCTION OF A MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS-LIKE DISEASE IN MICE WITH AN IMMUNODOMINANT EPITOPE OF MYELIN OLIGODENDROCYTE GLYCOPROTEIN

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is postulated to be a target autoantigen in multiple sclerosis (MS). Here we investigated the ence phalitogenicity of an immunodominant epitope of MOG, peptide 35-55, in various strains of mice. An MS-like disease was induced in NOD/Lt mic e (H-2(g7)) and C57BL/6 mice (H-2(b)) by a single injection of MOG(35- 55) in CFA, The disease followed a relapsing-remitting course in NOD/L t mice, whereas C57BL/6 mice developed a chronic paralytic disease. Hi stologically, the disease in both strains was characterized by cellula r infiltration and multifocal demyelination in the CNS, Significant DT H type reactions to MOG(35-55) were only seen in MOG-susceptible anima ls, with the NOD/Lt mice showing the strongest responses, Susceptible mice also showed specific antibody responses to MOG(35-55) but not to a panel of other MOG peptides, These results provide further evidence for the role of MOG as a highly autoantigenic molecule capable of indu cing severe demyelinating disease.