Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) as a Potential MS Model

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most serious syndromes in human populations. Although the source of MS is unknown, some patterns have been discovered according which the genetic background and environmental factors are the key elements affecting its development. Since human samples cannot be repeatedly drawn from the spinal cord, animal models have been the best options available for studying MS so far. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is the most recognized model in this regard. This study aimed to study EAE on rabbits to correlate symptoms and lesions, deducing whether this really can be a suitable model for predicting the algorithm lying behind the MS disease.

  For this purpose, 15 male two-month-old rabbits were divided into three groups, namely A, B, and C. The three groups were injected normal saline, complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) + spinal cord homogenate, and normal saline + spinal cord homogenate via footpad and neck scruff, respectively. Then, they were submitted to laboratory and observed for histopathological changes.

Group A did not show any signs or symptoms, while group B and C showed histopathological lesions. Moreover, group B was the only group showing clinical signs. There was also a significant difference between pathological and clinical signs in group A (p<.05), but not in group C (p>.05).

Considering the clinical and histopathological similarities between EAE and MS, the results suggest that EAE models are suitable to study MS.