Reversal of CNS autoimmunity by induction of oral tolerance to brain antigens mediated by antigen presenting cells of the lamina propria [abstract]

Abstract

The phenomenon of oral tolerance is important for inducing non-reactivity to food borne antigens and commensal organisms by the immune system. In this study we have devised a method to induce tolerance to an auto-antigen, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), by oral administration of a chimeric immunoglobulin, Ig-MOG. Oral treatments with Ig-MOG ameliorated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of human multiple sclerosis (MS).