Amelioration of EAE by a c ryptic e pitope of m yelin o ligodendrocyte g lycoprotein

Abstract Previous work demonstrated that EAE induced by recombinant human MOG was B cell-dependent. Data presented here reveal a T cell response to MOG61 – 85 in human rMOG-immunized B cell − / − mice not observed in WT mice. Further study revealed this peptide to be a cryptic epitope in WT mice. Co-immunization of B cell − / − mice with MOG35 – 55 and MOG61 – 85 peptides led to less severe disease compared to mice immunized with MOG35 – 55 alone. Disease amelioration was associated with decreased production of Interferon-γ by lymph node cells. Thus, MOG61 – 85 represents a protective epitope to human rMOG induced EAE in B cell − / − mice.