Treatment of clinical experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in the rat using fragments and combinations of monoclonal antibodies.
We reported previously that two different anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies (W3/25, MRC OX35) were effective in treating experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in the Lewis rat whereas anti-I-A antibody was ineffective. Further studies with other monoclonal antibodies and fragments have now been performed. Anti-I-E antibody was ineffective in shortening the disease duration even when used in combination with anti-I-A antibody. Anti-CD2 (T11) antibody was marginally effective, shortening the duration of disease by only one day on the average. Combination of anti-CD4 antibody with anti-CD2 antibody did not improve the recovery time over the use of anti-CD4 antibody alone. On the other hand, the F (ab')2 fragment of the anti-CD4 antibody was as effective in the treatment of disease as the intact antibody molecule, indicating that it was sufficient to block the CD4 molecules on the cell surface of the EAE effector cells in order to affect the disease course.
Brostoff
S W
SW
Department of Neurology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425.
White
T M
TM
Powers
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments