Spontaneous adhesiveness of lipid-free myelin basic protein to immune cells as detected by a double labelling technique

We have investigated whether immunocompetent cells have the capacity to interact directly with the myelin basic protein (MBP) of the central nervous system. To this end we have applied a double tagging system in order to study whether purified lipid-free MBP is able to bind to normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) without the need to purify the cells. Evaluation of MBP binding to PBMC was determined with biotinylated MBP and fluoresceinated avidin, and lymphocytes population was identified by the corresponding phycoerythrinated monoclonal antibody (MoAb). The contemporary use of MoAbs and avidin unambiguously showed that MBP is able to bind to both B and T lymphocytes. The biological significance of MBP adherence to immune cells still needs clarification.