Anti-MBP T cells enhance recovery of voluntary motor activity after spinal cord contusion. A, Twelve rats were deeply anesthetized, laminectomized, and subjected to spinal cord contusion (T9). Six of the rats were then inoculated intraperitoneally with 107 anti-MBP T cells in PBS (black circles), and the rest were injected with PBS (black squares). At the indicated times, locomotor behavior in an open field was scored. The results are expressed as the mean values for each group (error bars indicate SEM). The differences, tested by repeated ANOVA, were significant (p < 0.05). C, In another group of rats, the spinal cords were completely transected and the rats were divided into subgroups receiving either 107anti-MBP T cells or PBS. No significant differences in locomotor behavior were seen between the two subgroups at any time during follow-up. B, D, Course of EAE development in sham-operated rats treated with anti-MBP T cells. Lewis rats were subjected to sham operation (laminectomy but not contusion) and immediately injected with anti-MBP T cells. EAE was evaluated according to a neurological paralysis scale. Values represent means ± SEM.
