Soluble mannosylated myelin peptide inhibits the encephalitogenicity of autoreactive T cells during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

We have previously shown that immunization with a mannosylated myelin peptide in complete adjuvant induces tolerance instead of disease in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a rodent model for multiple sclerosis. In this report we demonstrate that treatment with a soluble mannosylated epitope of proteolipid protein (M-PLP(139-151)) significantly inhibits disease mediated by autoreactive myelin-specific T cells during EAE. Treatment with M-PLP(139-151), applied in different EAE models, significantly reduced the incidence of disease and the severity of clinical symptoms.

Mannosylated PLP(139-151) induces peptide-specific tolerance to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

SJL mice immunized with mannosylated (M-) PLP(139-151) in complete adjuvant do not develop EAE and little CNS mononuclear cell infiltration; other mannosylated peptides were ineffective in this experimental setting. Despite apparently normal T cell responses, M-PLP(139-151)-immunized mice show impaired delayed-type-sensitivity to PLP(139-151) but a normal response to other peptides. After re-immunization with PLP(139-151) in complete adjuvant, these mice are largely tolerant to EAE, show less T cell proliferation and decreased peptide-specific IgG2a.