High-dose mouse immunoglobulin G administration suppresses Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus-induced demyelinating disease

We studied the effect of high-dose mouse Ige on TMEV-induced demyelinating disease (TMEV-IDD). We injected TMEV intracerebrally into susceptible SJL/J mice and induced TMEV-IDD. Mouse IgG were injected intraperitonealy, and c linical course and various immunological indicators were studied. The resul ts show that TMEV-IDD was significantly suppressed both clinically and hist ologically (P<0.01) when IgG were administered in the effector phase. The d elayed type hypersensitivity and T cell proliferative response specific for TMEV were decreased by this treatment. In an ELISPOT assay, the number of TNF-alpha producing lymphocytes in the spinal cords was low in high-dose Ig G treated mice compared with PBS treated control mice. These data suggest t hat administration of IgG suppresses TMEV-IDD and may be promising treatmen t to prevent exacerbation of human multiple sclerosis. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sc ience B.V. All rights reserved.