Interest in MBP has centered on its role in demyelinating diseases, in particular, multiple sclerosis (MS).
The target antigen of the autoimmune response in MS has not yet been identified.
 However, several studies have shown a role for antibodies against MBP in the pathogenesis of MS.
Some studies have linked a genetic predisposition to MS to the MBP gene, though a majority have not.

A "molecular mimicry" hypothesis of multiple sclerosis has been suggested, in which T cells are, in essence, confusing MBP with human herpesvirus-6.
Researchers in the United States created a synthetic peptide with a sequence identical to that of an HHV-6 peptide.
Elevated levels of MBP can be found in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with HIV infections with signs of encephalopathy, even it is suggested that it is rather an indicator of prognosis for the course of the disease.

It is able to show that T cells were activated by this peptide.
These activated T cells also recognized and initiated an immune response against a synthetically created peptide sequence that is identical to part of human MBP.
During their research, they found that the levels of these cross-reactive T cells are significantly elevated in multiple sclerosis patients.

 
Some research has shown that inoculating an animal with MBP to generate an MBP-specific immune response against it increases blood–brain barrier permeability.
Permeability is enhanced when the animal is inoculated against non-specific proteins.

A targeted immune response to MBP has been implicated in lethal rabies infection.
The inoculation of MBP generates increases the permeability of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), allowing immune cells to enter the brain, the primary site of rabies virus replication.
In a study of mice infected with Silver-haired bat rabies virus (SHBRV), the mortality rate of mice treated with MBP improved 20%-30% over the untreated control group.
It is significant to note that healthy uninfected mice treated with MBP showed an increase in mortality rate between 0% and 40%.
Interest in MBP has centered on its role in demyelinating diseases, in particular, multiple sclerosis (MS). The target antigen of the autoimmune response in MS has not yet been identified.  However, several studies have shown a role for antibodies against MBP in the pathogenesis of MS. Some studies have linked a genetic predisposition to MS to the MBP gene, though a majority have not.
A "molecular mimicry" hypothesis of multiple sclerosis has been suggested, in which T cells are, in essence, confusing MBP with human herpesvirus-6. Researchers in the United States created a synthetic peptide with a sequence identical to that of an HHV-6 peptide. Elevated levels of MBP can be found in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with HIV infections with signs of encephalopathy, even it is suggested that it is rather an indicator of prognosis for the course of the disease. 
It is able to show that T cells were activated by this peptide. These activated T cells also recognized and initiated an immune response against a synthetically created peptide sequence that is identical to part of human MBP. During their research, they found that the levels of these cross-reactive T cells are significantly elevated in multiple sclerosis patients.
 
Some research has shown that inoculating an animal with MBP to generate an MBP-specific immune response against it increases blood–brain barrier permeability. Permeability is enhanced when the animal is inoculated against non-specific proteins.
A targeted immune response to MBP has been implicated in lethal rabies infection. The inoculation of MBP generates increases the permeability of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), allowing immune cells to enter the brain, the primary site of rabies virus replication. In a study of mice infected with Silver-haired bat rabies virus (SHBRV), the mortality rate of mice treated with MBP improved 20%-30% over the untreated control group. It is significant to note that healthy uninfected mice treated with MBP showed an increase in mortality rate between 0% and 40%.
Myelin basic protein