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

Janos Tajti, Enrico Stefani, Stanley H. Appel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

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 immunosuppresant 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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)143-151
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Neuroimmunology
Volume34
Issue number2-3
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1991

Keywords

  • (Guinea pig)
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • immune-mediated
  • Motoneuron destruction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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