IgG Subclass Switching Is Associated with the Severity of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Induced with Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Peptide in NOD Mice

We have recently shown that a single dose of the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) peptide 35-55 produces a relapsing–remitting demyelinating disease similar to multiple sclerosis (MS) in Lewis rats. In this study we have assessed the possibility that a subclass of anti-MOG35-55antibodies influences the clinical outcome of these diseases by examining the classes and isotypes of anti-MOG35-55antibody produced during the course of MOG35-55-induced demyelinating disease in NOD mice. Following immunization, 7 of the 21 injected mice had only mild diseases, while the 14 others had severe progressive and/or relapsing–remitting diseases. There were no differences in anti-MOG35-55IgG, IgA, IgM, IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG3 antibody titers between the severe and mild symptoms groups. High levels of IgG2b antibody to MOG35-55were detected in all mice with severe symptoms. In contrast, none of the mice which contracted a mild disease produced anti-MOG35-55IgG2b. These results suggest that in NOD mice, the IgG2b antibody response to MOG35-55is associated with the severity of this MS-like demyelinating disease.