Earlier studies showed that donor T cells that initiated a murine adoptive EAE persisted in the CNS of the recipients throughout the subsequent relapsing cycles. To clarify the functions of the persistent donor T cells in EAE relapsing disease, anti-Thy-1 antibodies were used to deplete these cells. Results showed that such treatment abrogated subsequent relapsing cycles in these animals. In addition, it was evident that a shift in cytokine profile occurred during acute and relapsing disease phases. These results unambiguously support the appropriateness of targeting T cells with specificity for the priming antigen in design of therapeutic approaches for MS.
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