Suppression of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis by interferon

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an experimental, T-cell dependent, autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that can be induced in most mammals by the injection of myelinated neural tissue in complete Freund's adjuvant. Relatively small doses, 10(4.6) Units/kg, of rat interferon (IFN), specific activity 10(7.6) Units/kg, delayed the onset of the disease and significantly ameliorated the severity of EAE symptoms observed in Lewis rats. Injection of IFN at 10(5.6) U/Kg suppressed hind limb paralysis in 70 to 80% of the rats.