A rabbit B cell determinant for a conserved portion of myelin basic protein, rabbit encephalitogenic sequence 65-74

Synthetic peptide S24 (TTHYGSLPQKG) represents residues 65-74 of myelin basic protein (MBP) and contains the major determinant involved in the development of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in rabbits. This peptide is completely conserved in all nonprimate mammals for which sequence information is available. Although it is clear that peptides containing the S24 region are capable of inducing EAE, previous serologic studies have resulted in the conclusion that the determinant is "buried" or sequestered in intact MBP. Employing a liquid phase radioimmunoassay, we studied Ab responses to the S24 determinant in six rabbits injected with rat myelin. Two of the six animals developed small but measurable responses to the S24 determinant. In one of these rabbits, the response was boosted with a covalent conjugate of S82 and methylated BSA (MBSA). We also measured antibodies to the S24 determinant in rabbit antisera to human, monkey, dog, bovine, and the large and small forms of rat MBP. By nonequilibrium inhibition analysis, we determined that the antibody responses to these antigens were all directed to a determinant composed of residues 66-71 of MBP, and that intact MBP inhibits the binding of these antibodies to radiolabeled S24. The results demonstrate that the rabbit encephalitogenic region of myelin basic protein is exposed in the intact molecule both as an immunogen and as a reactant in liquid-phase assays; furthermore, they demonstrate that MBP antigenicity leading to B cell responses does not necessarily depend on sequence differences between the injected protein and its counterpart in the host species. The latter finding reinforces the contention of Atassi that autoantibody responses are not exclusive to "evolutionary hypervariable locations."