RESEARCH SUMMARY

Research is currently involved in the investigation of autoimmunity in the central nervous system .  Our group has demonstrated induction of a strong TH2-type serum antibody (Ab) response to innocuous protein antigens introduced intraventricularly into the brain via an indwelling cannula with no adjuvants.  Specific Abs are also produced intrathecally by plasma cells derived from activated B cells that migrated into brain tissue through intact barrier membranes.  This model has been applied to passive immunization via a cannula placed in different brain regions using Abs with specificity to different brain cell types.  Behavioral changes are observed in rats infused with anti-neuronal or anti-glial cell Abs, but not in controls infused with normal immunoglobulins. 

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PUBLICATIONS

1. Hallett, J.J., Harling-Berg, C.J., Knopf, P.M., Stopa, E.G., and Kiessling, L.S. (2000) Striatal auto­immunity in childhood Tourette syndrome.   Journal of Neuroimmunology 111: 195-202.

2. Knopf, P.M. (2000)  Immunomodulation and Allergy.  Allergy and Asthma Proceedings 21: 215-220.

3. Petzke, M.M., Suri, P.K., Bungiro, Jr., R., Goldberg, M. Taylor, S.F., Ranji, S.,Taylor, H., McCray, Jr., J.W. and Knopf, P.M. (2000)  S. mansoni gene GP22 encodes the tegumental antigen Sm25:  (1) Antibodies to predicted B-cell epitope peptide sequence of Sm25 cross-react with other candidate vaccine worm antigens.  (2) Characterization of a recombinant construct containing tandem-repeats of this peptide as a vaccine. Parasite Immunology 22: 381-395.

4. Harling-Berg, C.J., Park,II, J.T. & Knopf, P.K. (1999)  Role of Cervical Lymphatics in the Th2-Type Hierarchy of CNS Immune Regulation.  Journal of Neuroimmunology 101: 111-127.  (invited review article, refereed)***

5. Bungiro, Jr., R., Goldberg, M., Suri, P.K. and Knopf, P.M. (1999)  Interleukin-12 as an adjuvant for an anti-schistosome vaccine consisting of adult worm antigens:  Protection of rats from cercarial challenge.  Infection & Immunity 67: 2340-2348.

6. Gordon, L.B., Nolan, S.C., Ksander, B., Knopf, P.M., and Harling-Berg, C.J. (1998)  Normal cerebro­spinal fluid impairs in vitro development of cytotoxic T cells:  Role of the brain microenvironment in CNS immune regulation.  Journal of Neuroimmunol. 88: 77-84.

7. Knopf, P.M., Harling-Berg, C.J., Cserr, H.F., Basu, D., Sirulnick, E.J., Nolan, S.C., Park, J.T., Keir, G., Thompson, E.J., and Hickey, W.F. (1998)  Antigen-dependent intrathecal antibody synthesis in the normal rat brain: Tissue entry and local retention of antigen-specific B cells.  Journal of Immunology 161: 692-701.

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