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Updated: Jul 31, 2026
08:47
Induction of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in Mice and Evaluation of the Disease-dependent Distribution of Immune Cells in Various Tissues
Published on: May 8, 2016
Genetic factors involved in central nervous system/immune interactions
R L Wilder1, M M Griffiths, G W Cannon
1Inflammatory Joint Diseases Section, Arthritis and Rheumatism Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|December 1, 2001
Summary
Hypotheses suggest that abnormalities in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis may increase susceptibility to autoimmune disease and addiction. Genetic studies are underway to characterize these complex traits and their potential links.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Immunology
- Genetics
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Abnormalities in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis are hypothesized to link susceptibility to autoimmune diseases and addiction.
- Inbred rat strains exhibit varying susceptibility to these conditions, providing a model for investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence supporting the HPA axis hypothesis for autoimmune disease and addiction susceptibility.
- To describe ongoing genetic characterization of these traits in rats.
- To explore potential mechanistic links between autoimmune and neuroendocrine regulation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of inbred rat strains to identify correlations between HPA axis function and disease/addiction susceptibility.
- Mapping of 23 quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with autoimmune disease regulation in rats.
- Construction of congenic rat lines by transferring genomic regions between susceptible and resistant strains.
Main Results:
- Identification of 23 loci regulating autoimmune disease in rats.
- Development of congenic rat lines for further genetic analysis.
- Ongoing efforts to genetically dissect autoimmune and neuroendocrine traits.
Conclusions:
- HPA axis abnormalities are a potential contributing factor to susceptibility to both autoimmune disease and addiction.
- Congenic rat lines will be instrumental in testing the role of autoimmune regulatory genes in neuroendocrine traits.
- Further genetic dissection is required to establish a mechanistic link between autoimmune and neuroendocrine regulation.
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