title: Modelling of multiple sclerosis: lessons learned in a non-human primate.
abstract: The many, highly specific, biological therapies for immune-based diseases create a need for valid preclinical animal models. The wide immunological gap between human beings and laboratory mouse or rat models makes many disease models in these species invalid. In this review, we report a non-human-primate model of chronic multiple sclerosis (MS)-experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)-that can help bridge this wide gap. The genetic and immunological similarity of marmosets and human beings and the clinical and neuropathological similarity of the EAE model to MS provide a unique experimental platform for research into basic immunopathogenetic mechanisms and for the development of more effective treatments for MS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunobiology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands. hart@bprc.nl
authors.forename: Bert A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: 't Hart
authors.forename: Jon D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Laman
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: Erwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Blezer
authors.forename: Yvette
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: van Kooyk
authors.forename: Rogier Q
authors.initials: RQ
authors.lastname: Hintzen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002144:Callithrix; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy