Induction of allergic neuritis in rhesus monkeys

Experimental allergic neuritis (EAN) was induced in rhesus monkeys ( Macaca mulatta) following sensitization with rabbit nerve (PNS) myelin in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) or with bovine P 2 protein complexed with phosphatidyl serine (P 2-lipid) in CFA. The response of monkeys receiving PNS myelin in CFA differed from the previous studies where monkeys developed clinical signs of fatal EAN within 15–20 days following sensitization. The monkeys in this study (6) showed a much longer delay (40–114 days) before the appearance of severe clinical signs, and 4 of the 6 animals survived without further attack (1 year). Monkeys (4) injected with P 2-lipid (2: 1 ratio; w/w) developed severe clinical signs of EAN which was fatal in 3 cases. Peripheral lymphocytes from monkeys sensitized to the P 2-lipid showed a much stronger mitogenic response to P 2 protein than those from the PNS myelin-sensitized monkeys. On quantitation of the circulating anti-P 2 antibodies, the P 2-sensitized monkeys generally had much higher titers than those sensitized with PNS myelin.