The origin and application of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a model of the neuroimmune system responding to priming with central nervous system (CNS)-restricted antigens. It is an excellent model of post-vaccinal encephalitis and a useful model of many aspects of multiple sclerosis. EAE has been established in numerous species and is induced by priming with a large number of CNS-derived antigens. As a consequence, the pathogenesis, pathology and clinical signs vary significantly between experimental protocols. As I describe in this Timeline article, the reductionist approach taken in some lines of investigation of EAE resulted in a reliance on results obtained under a narrow range of conditions. Although such studies made important contributions to our molecular understanding of inflammation, T-cell activation, and MHC restriction, they did not advance as effectively our knowledge of the polyantigenic responses that usually occur in CNS immunopathology and autoimmunity.
Baxter
Alan G
AG
Comparative Genomics Centre, Molecular Sciences Building 21, James Cook University, Townsville, 4,811, Queensland, Australia. alan.baxter@jcu.edu.au
D000486:Allergy and Immunology / Q000639:trends*; D000818:Animals; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans