Chapter 2 - Rat Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Abstract

This chapter explains experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in the rat. EAE has been the most widely used model for the human disease, multiple sclerosis. EAE may be actively induced by immunization with myelin basic protein (MBP) or proteolipid apoprotein (PLP), or by specific peptides encompassing the encephalitogenic regions. MBP and PLP are the major protein components of central nervous system myelin. For disease induction, the protein or peptide must be emulsified in Freund's complete adjuvant, or adsorbed on the surface of particulates such as carbon, kaolin, or talc. The emulsified adjuvant acts as a slow-releasing repository of emulsified antigen at the injection site and creates a granulomatous reaction that stimulates mononuclear cells to induce a CD4+ T-cell response. Freund's complete adjuvant holds an established place in the laboratory as a means of attaining high levels of antibody against protein antigens and inducing cell-mediated responses.