Effect of anti-B7-1 and anti-B7-2 mAb on Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus-induced demyelinating disease

We examined the role of B7-1 and B7-2, costimulatory molecules critical to full activation of T cells,in the development of Theiler's murine encephalo myelitis virus-induced demyelinating disease (TMEV-IDD), Treatment with mAb s to B7-1 resulted in significant suppression of the development of this di sease both clinically and histologically In mice treated with these mAbs, t he production of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma in the spleen cells was decreased, The delayed-type hypersensitivity and T cell proliferative response specif ic for TMEV were decreased by this treatment, In contrast, treatment with A bu to B7-2, resulted in no effect on TMEV-IDD, These data suggest that B7-1 is critically involved in the pathogenesis of TMEV-IDD and that Abs to B7- 1 could be a novel therapeutic approach in the clinical treatment of demyel inating diseases such as human multiple sclerosis.