Comparison of reported spinal cord lesions in progressive multiple sclerosis with theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus induced demyelinating disease

Leitzen, E., Jin, W., Herder, V. , Beineke, A., Elmarabet, S. A., Baumgärtner, W. and Hansmann, F. (2019) Comparison of reported spinal cord lesions in progressive multiple sclerosis with theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus induced demyelinating disease. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20(4), 989. (doi: 10.3390/ijms20040989) (PMID:30823515) (PMCID:PMC6413032)

Abstract

Background: Spinal cord (SC) lesions in Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus induced demyelinating disease (TMEV-IDD) resemble important features of brain lesions in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) including inflammation, demyelination, and axonal damage. The aim of the present study was a comparison of SC lesions in MS and TMEV-IDD focusing on spatial and temporal distribution of demyelination, inflammation, SC atrophy (SCA), and axonal degeneration/loss in major descending motor pathways. Methods: TMEV and mock-infected mice were investigated clinically once a week. SC tissue was collected at 42, 98, 147, and 196 days post infection, and investigated using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry targeting myelin basic protein (demyelination), Mac3 (microglia/macrophages), phosphorylated neurofilaments (axonal damage) and transmission electron microscopy. Results: Demyelination prevailed in SC white matter in TMEV-IDD, contrasting a predominant gray matter involvement in MS. TMEV-infected mice revealed a significant loss of axons similar to MS. Ultrastructural analysis in TMEV-IDD revealed denuded axons, degenerative myelin changes, axonal degeneration, as well as remyelination. SCA is a consistent finding in the SC of MS patients and was also detected at a late time point in TMEV-IDD. Conclusion: This comparative study further indicates the suitability of TMEV-IDD as animal model also for the investigation of progressive SC lesions in MS.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Herder, Dr Vanessa

Creator Roles

Herder, V.: Investigation, Resources, Writing – review and editing

• Authors: Leitzen, E., Jin, W., Herder, V., Beineke, A., Elmarabet, S. A., Baumgärtner, W., and Hansmann, F.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
• Journal Name: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 1661-6596
• ISSN (Online): 1422-0067
• Published Online: 25 February 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 The Authors
• First Published: First published in International Journal of Molecular Sciences 20(4): 989
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License