Virtues and pitfalls of EAE for the development of therapies for multiple sclerosis.
Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a useful model for aiding the development of new treatments for MS. All therapies approved for MS ameliorate EAE. Two approved medications, glatiramer acetate and Natalizumab, were developed directly from studies in EAE. Several trials are ongoing in MS after success in EAE, including altered peptide ligands of myelin, DNA vaccines and statins. However, EAE has failed to predict the outcome of certain approaches. The reasons underlying such failures are discussed here.
Steinman
Lawrence
L
Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Chair Interdepartmental Program in Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. steinman@stanford.edu
Zamvil
Scott S
SS
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D000069442:Natalizumab; D010455:Peptides / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000069442:Natalizumab; D010455:Peptides; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate