Protection against allergic encephalomyelitis by recruitment of myelin basic protein reactive lymphocytes into a single lymph node.
The efferent popliteal lymphatic of sheep was cannulated and sheep myelin basic protein (BP) was repeatedly injected into the drainage site of that popliteal node. All the recirculating lymphocytes leaving the node were removed from the sheep via the efferent cannula. Sheep undergoing such chronic stimulation and drainage failed to develop allergic encephalomyelitis when challenged with an encephalitogenic inoculum in the contralateral leg. Chronic stimulation without subsequent removal of lymphocytes did not protect animals against challenge. These results suggest that protection is due to the stimulation, recruitment and removal of specific BP reactive cells from the recirculating lymphocyte pool. Possible therapeutic applications in multiple sclerosis are discussed.
D000818:Animals; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000628:therapy; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000276:immunology*; D012756:Sheep
D004676:Myelin Basic Protein