title: A monoclonal antibody to alpha 4 integrin suppresses and reverses active experimental allergic encephalomyelitis.
abstract: In experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), circulating leukocytes enter the central nervous system (CNS) producing inflammation, myelin damage and paralysis. Prevention of leukocyte infiltration by an antibody against alpha 4 integrin suppressed clinical and pathological features of EAE in the guinea pig. Rapid clearance of leukocytes from the CNS and reversal of clinical findings were observed when anti-alpha 4 treatment was administered during active disease. Clinical improvement was accompanied by a marked decrease in abnormal pathological findings, including demyelination. Therefore anti-alpha 4 is an effective treatment of EAE and may be similarly useful in the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kent
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Karlik
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cannon
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Hines
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Yednock
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Fritz
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Horner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D039441:Integrin alpha4; D016023:Integrins / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C / Q000276:immunology; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000276:immunology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D016023:Integrins; D039441:Integrin alpha4; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant