Rhesus monkeys are highly susceptible to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis induced by myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein: characterisation of immunodominant T- and B-cell epitopes

Eight rhesus monkeys with different MHC backgrounds were immunized with mye lin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). All developed severe experimental a utoimmune encephalomyelitis associated with large inflammatory foci and ext ensive demyelination. T-cell autoreactivity to MOG was directed against thr ee main epitopes encompassed within amino acids 4-20, 35-50 and 94-116, of which two are also immunodominant epitopes for the autoimmune T cell respon se to MOG in patients with MS. A strong B cell response to MOG was observed in all monkeys and major epitopes recognized were located within amino aci ds 4-26, 24-46 and 44-66/54-76. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights r eserved.