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Updated: Mar 31, 2026
Induction and Clinical Scoring of Chronic-Relapsing Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Published on: July 4, 2007
Liver Damage and Mortality in a Male Lewis Rat of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Ameneh Ghaffarinia1, Cyrus Jalili2, Ali Mostafaie3
1Dept. of Immunology, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences , Kermanshah, Iran.
Background And Objectives:
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. This is due to migration of peripherally activated lymphocytes to central nervous system leading to inflammatory lesions. However, liver has an anti-inflammatory microenvironment. Myelin expression in the liver of transgenic mice suppresses inflammatory lesions within central nervous system. Considering the notion that the inflammatory events originate from periphery, we investigated if the liver was affected in an animal model for multiple sclerosis.
Methods:
Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis was induced in male Lewis rats using guinea pig spinal cord and complete Freund's adjuvant. Weight, clinical score, and survival rate were evaluated for 14 days post immunization. Liver sections were taken and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin and examined with an Olympus microscope.
Results:
Mortality was accompanied by liver damage. Sinusoidal congestion, pycnotic nuclei within hepatocytes, hepatocyte necrosis, and severe widespread congestion along with fat accumulation within hepatocytes (fatty degeneration) were observed in liver tissue sections.
Conclusion:
Liver damage occurs in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. The perpetuation of self antigen leading to continuous migration of extrahepatically activated T cells makes an inflammatory milieu in the liver. It follows migration and development of more inflammatory cells and may paralyses tolerance inducing mechanisms. Apart from central nervous system lesion, liver injury may act as synergistic factor for debilitation and mortality.
Insights
Liver damage occurs in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a model for multiple sclerosis. This liver injury may worsen disease severity and contribute to mortality alongside central nervous system lesions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Hepatology
- Autoimmune Diseases
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory disease driven by peripheral lymphocyte activation and migration.
- The liver possesses an anti-inflammatory microenvironment, and myelin expression in the liver can suppress CNS inflammation in mice.
- Inflammatory processes in MS originate peripherally, prompting investigation into potential liver involvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether the liver is affected in an animal model of multiple sclerosis.
- To determine the impact of liver damage on disease progression and mortality in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).
Main Methods:
- Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced in Lewis rats using guinea pig spinal cord and complete Freund's adjuvant.
- Clinical scores, weight, and survival rates were monitored for 14 days post-immunization.
- Liver tissue sections were examined histopathologically using Hematoxylin and Eosin staining.
Main Results:
- Mortality in EAE rats was associated with significant liver damage.
- Histopathological findings included sinusoidal congestion, hepatocyte necrosis, pyknotic nuclei, and fatty degeneration.
- Widespread congestion was observed within the liver tissue.
Conclusions:
- Liver damage is a significant finding in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
- Continuous activation and migration of T cells create an inflammatory environment in the liver, potentially impairing tolerance mechanisms.
- Liver injury may act synergistically with CNS lesions, contributing to increased debilitation and mortality in EAE.
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