Methodology and evaluation of the induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a murine preclinical model of multiple sclerosis.

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that is characterized by a severe and progressive demyelinating process. It is considered a neurodegenerative autoimmune disorder driven by immune cell infiltration, overproduction of cytokines and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation that leads to axonal and neuronal injury. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is the most commonly used pre-clinical model of multiple sclerosis (MS), since it resembles many aspects of the human disease. EAE can be induced in a variety of species and strains (rodents and monkeys), providing models of acute monophasic, relapsing-remitting and chronic progressive CNS inflammation. Thus, the pathology of the lesions varies according to the animal model used. We herein describe in detail a protocol for induction of EAE in C57BL/6 mice by immunization with MOG_35-55 in CFA, which induces a monophasic, chronic and sustained form of EAE. In addition, we also describe approaches to evaluate disease induction and a technique for pathological examination of CNS tissues to assess ROS accumulation. This animal model could be useful for acute and chronic studies and to assess the effectiveness of different treatments.