Myelin Basic Protein, MBP (68-86) – Myelin Basic Protein (MBP) Peptides

This 19 amino acid fragment of myelin basic protein (MBP) can induce experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in Lewis rats. EAE is the most commonly used experimental model for studying the human inflammatory demyelinating disease, multiple sclerosis (MS). MBP is an integral component of myelin found in the central nervous system (CNS). MBP is considered vital for the development and stability of the myelin sheath where it plays a role in membrane adhesion. MPBs constitute an extraordinarily varied collection of splice isoforms which show a myriad of post-translational modifications. MBP may be targeted by auto-antibodies in diseases such as multiple sclerosis. The low affinity of MBP (1-9) peptide for MCH class II molecules may result in MBP autoreactive T cells escaping central-tolerance, where self-reactive T cells are usually eliminated.