Animal models of multiple sclerosis: the good, the bad and the bottom line

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a spontaneous, acquired, inflammatory demyelinating disease of the human CNS. Because it involves a complex interaction between two of the most intricate biological systems, immune system and CNS, animal modeling has been critical for addressing MS pathogenesis. MS models were originally developed serendipitously more than 75 years ago. Immune-mediated, toxic, viral and genetic models of demyelination are now used to understand the manifold aspects of MS. MS treatments evolved in part from animal model research, and further progress is envisaged in large part because these systems have been continually refined and their use focused on questions whose relevance was established by studying the human disease.

Development and Pharmacological Characterization of Selective Blockers of 2-Arachidonoyl Glycerol Degradation with Efficacy in Rodent Models of Multiple Sclerosis and Pain

“…As expected for a potent and selective MGL inhibitor, in vivo administration of 4a reduced the clinical severity of the disease in mice suffering from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a rodent demyelinating disease model. 17 In vivo tests confirmed the analgesic profile of 4a in mouse models and evidenced a clear-cut dependence of its pharmacological efficacy upon the increased 2-AG levels and subsequent indirect CBRs modulation. Remarkably, the efficacy of 4a further supports the hypothesis 2 of a tight intersection between the endocannabinoid system and MS.…”

Acetylcholine-producing NK cells attenuate CNS inflammation via modulation of infiltrating monocytes/macrophages

“…Furthermore, we found that the loss of MBP in the spinal cords of EAE mice coincided with the large accumulation of CCR2 + -infiltrating monocytes/macrophages, rather than the number of resident microglia that were GFP + with distinct morphology in CX3CR1 2 ; P < 0.05) rather than the resident microglia, with the result that demyelination decreased (Fig. 5 H and I).…”

“…(1), which afflicts ∼2.5 million individuals worldwide. MS and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), are characterized by immune cell infiltration of the CNS, demyelination, and axonal damage, thus leading to functional paralysis (2).…”

Cytokine Modulatory Effects of Sesamum Indicum Seeds Oil Ameliorate Mice with Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

“…Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an induced disorder that damages the central nervous system (CNS) and is considered as a model for human multiple sclerosis (MS) [1]. In this disorders, the nervous system is affected and cell mediated immune responses (CD4+ T cell) have a crucial role in the pathogenesis of the disease leading to in lammation and/or demyelination of the CNS [2].…”