Modeling a complex disease: Multiple sclerosis-Update 2020

Area of Science:

• Neuroimmunology
• Immunology
• Autoimmune Diseases

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex, inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) disease with debated etiology.
• The immune system critically contributes to CNS autoimmunity in MS.
• Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) serves as a key animal model for studying MS pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review major advancements in understanding the immune system's role in CNS autoimmunity over the last 10 years.
• To highlight key findings derived from the EAE model.
• To summarize progress in areas such as Th17 cells, microbiome interactions, and the gut-brain axis in the context of MS.

Main Methods:

• Induction of EAE in susceptible animals using specific protocols, commonly involving myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) peptides.
• Analysis of immune cell populations, particularly T helper 17 (Th17) cells.
• Investigation of host-microbiome interactions and the gut-brain axis.

Main Results:

• Significant progress in characterizing IL-17-producing T cells (Th17 cells) and their role in autoimmune CNS inflammation.
• Elucidation of host-microbiome interactions influencing autoimmune responses.
• Understanding the gut-brain axis's impact on neuroinflammation and MS pathogenesis.
• Detailed insights into immune-mediated damage in various CNS regions.

Conclusions:

• The EAE model has been instrumental in dissecting the complex immune mechanisms underlying MS.
• Advances in understanding Th17 cells, microbiome, and gut-brain axis offer potential therapeutic targets for MS.
• Continued research using EAE models is crucial for further unraveling MS pathogenesis and developing effective treatments.