Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis – Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis (EAE)

Multiple sclerosis is the major demyelinating disease in humans. Autoreactive immune cells recognize the myelin sheath and axon as foreign. The infiltrating immune cells trigger episodes of damage and regeneration to the myelin sheath and nerve axon. Clinical symptoms of neurological dysfunction are concomitant with pathology. EAE in certain rodent strains has been useful to study MS and to investigate novel treatments for this debilitating disease.

Mice and rats are the two most commonly used animals models of EAE. EAE in both species is greatly influenced by several factors including: gender, strain (MHC haplotype), and age. In rats, EAE is typically monophasic. In mice, EAE is chronic and relapsing in certain transgenic mouse strains (ie. NOD, B10.PL, and SJL). The severity of actively induced disease is correlated with strain MHC haplotype and encephalitogenic peptide sequence. By example, SJL mice can be induced with proteolipoprotein (PLP) 139-151aa or myelin-oligodendrocyte-glycoprotein (MOG) 1-9aa; while B10.PL mice appear to best respond to PLP 43-64 or MOG 87-106aa.

Treatments Options:

• Prophylactic
• Therapeutic – peak of disease
• Therapeutic – remission phas

Evaluation

Clinical Scoring System:

• General Appearance (0-4)
• Natural Behavior (0-4)
• Hydration Status (0-4)
• Clinical Signs (0-4)
• Provoked Behavior (0-3)
• Neurological Effects (0-4)

Quantitative Readouts

• Total Clinical Score Relative to Time Post-Induction
• Relapse Rate
• Histopathology
• Flow Cytometry
• ELISA

Humane Endpoints:

• Euthanasia once morbidity evident - Weight loss > 30%
• Failure to eat of drink for 24hr
• Limb paralysis for >24 hr