Cyclophosphamide alters the clinical and pathological expression of experimental autoimmune gray matter disease

Guinea pigs inoculated with bovine spinal cord ventral horn homogenate develop a syndrome termed experimental autoimmune gray matter disease (EAGMD) characterized by extremity weakness, bulbar signs, and a loss of lower and upper motoneurons. To provide evidence for the role of autoimmune mechanisms, we have administered the immunosuppressant cyclophosphamide prior to and after gray matter immunization. Pretreatment with cyclophosphamide prevented the appearance of clinical signs of disease and decreased the loss of spinal cord motoneurons, the appearance of damaged motoneurons, and the antibody titer to motoneurons. Treatment 7 days after immunization attenuated the expression of disease. Treatment immediately after signs also improved the clinical and pathological findings. In all cyclophosphamide-treated animals there was less IgG within motoneurons and less inflammation. These results support the role for autoimmune mechanisms in motoneuron loss and degeneration in EAGMD.