Characterization of a new rat model for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathies

J Neuroimmunol. 2015 Jan 15:278:1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2014.11.022. Epub 2014 Nov 27.

Abstract

Our objective was to develop a chronic model of EAN which could be used as a tool to test treatment strategies for CIDP. Lewis rats injected with S-palmitoylated P0(180-199) peptide developed a chronic, sometimes relapsing-remitting type of disease. Our model fulfills electrophysiological criteria of demyelination with axonal degeneration, confirmed by immunohistopathology. The late phase of the chronic disease was characterized by accumulation of IL-17(+) cells and macrophages in sciatic nerves and by high serum IL-17 levels. In conclusion, we have developed a reliable and reproducible animal model resembling CIDP that can now be used for translational drug studies.

Keywords: Animal model; CIDP; Chronic EAN; Electrophysiology; Immunology; Sciatic nerve immunohistochemistry; Thiopalmitoylated P0 peptide.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / physiology
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Electrophysiology
  • Evoked Potentials / physiology
  • Interleukin-17 / blood
  • Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Macrophages / pathology
  • Male
  • Myelin P0 Protein / chemistry*
  • Myelin P0 Protein / toxicity*
  • Peptides / toxicity
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / blood
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / chemically induced
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / pathology*
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / physiopathology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Lew
  • Sciatic Nerve / pathology
  • Sciatic Nerve / physiopathology
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology

Substances

  • Interleukin-17
  • Myelin P0 Protein
  • Peptides