Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis relapses are reduced in heterozygous golli MBP knockout mice

Increased golli MBP (golli) expression has been observed in the peripheral immune system of mice in the relapsing phase of EAE, raising the possibility that golli MBP expression in the periphery may contribute to relapses. Here we describe the generation of golli MBP-deficient mice and a comparison of the clinical course of EAE between heterozygous (golli^+/-) and wild-type (golli^+/+) mice. There was no difference between the two groups in incidence of disease, severity of the first episode of disease, or remission after the first episode. However, there was a significant reduction in relapses in golli^+/- mice vs. controls, suggesting a role for golli proteins in the relapses in EAE.