Circulating antibodies to the neuritogenic myelin protein, P2, in neuritis of the cauda equina of the horse
Kadlubowski, M.; Ingram, P.L.
Nature 293(5830): 299-300
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-0836 PMID: 6168918 Document Number: 179375
Neuritis of the cauda equina (NCE) in horses has some similarities to the Guillain-Barre syndrome in man and experimental allergic neuritis (EAN). The neuritic antigen in EAE is bovine P2, a protein of molecular weight c. 15 000, and animals with EAN have circulating antibodies to P2. Antibody to P2 was assayed in four horses in which NCE had been diagnosed by clinical signs and PM examination. Serum samples from the NCE cases bound significantly more P2 than did control sera, though one case barely reached significance and possible reasons for this are discussed. The binding was probably caused by antibodies specific for P2; these antibodies may play a part in producing NCE in horses.