Adherence of cells to myelin basic protein II. Adherence of red blood cells of SJL mice with chronic relapsing EAE

Abstract

Adherence of red blood cells from SJL mice suffering of chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis was studied to myelin basic protein coated microtiter plates. Control animals received either bovine serum albumine or "protein-antigen free" adjuvant using the same immunization protocol. Characteristic changes in adherence were found in bovine or human myelin basic protein injected animals compared to the bovine serum albumine immunized group. After a nonspecific increase in adherence between Days 2 to 6 observed in all 3 groups, in the encephalitogen challenged animals on Days 13-14 a marked decrease in red blood cell adherence was detected which maintained at this decreased level during the clinically active stage of the disease and reappeared with the relapse of EAE. No such decreased adherence of red blood cells was observed in BSA immunized animals or in adherence of cells from myelin basic protein injected animals to other basic type protein such as histone. Thus, decreased adherence of red blood cells in animals with EAE appears to be an interestingly unique measure of the disease activity.