Analysis of suppressor activity in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis inhibited by graft-versus-host reaction.

The induction of local graft-versus-host reaction (GvH) prior to the encephalitogenic challenge resulted in the conversion of acute experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) to the chronic-like EAE. This inhibitory effect of GvH on EAE development was cyclophosphamide (CY) sensitive. Cell-free supernatants of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) isolated from guinea pigs with chronic-like EAE and during recovery from EAE showed suppressor activity on the in vitro proliferative response of myelin basic protein (MBP) sensitized PBL. The appearance of anaphylactic anti-MBP antibodies and a change in the ratio complement fixing: haemagglutinating (CF/HA) antibodies was also registered.