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Microbiome Methods in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
David P Daberkow1, Kristina Hoffman1, Hannah M Kohl1
1Department of Biology, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, Washington.
Abstract:
Microbiome composition studies are increasingly shedding light on animal models of disease. This paper describes a protocol for analyzing the gut microbiome composition prior to and after the induction of mice to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the principal animal model of the human neuroinflammatory demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis (MS). We also address and provide data assessing the impact of mice reared in different animal facilities on EAE induction. Furthermore, we discuss potential regulators of the gut-microbiome-brain axis (GMBA) in relation to neuroinflammation and implications on demyelinating disease states. Our results suggest that mice reared in different animal facilities produce different levels of EAE induction. These results highlight the importance of accounting for consistent environmental conditions when inducing EAE and other animal models of disease. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Study of the composition of the gut microbiome in the neuroinflammatory model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis Basic Protocol 2: Experimental procedures for DNA extraction and microbiome analysis.
Insights
Investigating the gut microbiome in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) models reveals that environmental conditions, such as animal facility origin, significantly impact disease induction. Consistent housing is crucial for reliable EAE studies in multiple sclerosis research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Microbiome Research
- Animal Models of Disease
Background:
- The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in modulating immune responses.
- Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a key animal model for studying multiple sclerosis (MS), a human neuroinflammatory demyelinating disease.
- Understanding the gut-microbiome-brain axis (GMBA) is vital for neuroinflammation research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a protocol for analyzing gut microbiome composition changes in EAE mice.
- To assess the influence of different animal facility environments on EAE induction.
- To explore GMBA regulators in neuroinflammation and demyelination.
Main Methods:
- Gut microbiome profiling before and after EAE induction in mice.
- DNA extraction and microbiome analysis techniques.
- Comparative analysis of EAE induction in mice from distinct facilities.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in EAE induction levels were observed in mice from different animal facilities.
- Gut microbiome composition varies based on environmental conditions.
- Environmental consistency is critical for reproducible EAE model outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Animal facility conditions significantly affect EAE induction, highlighting the need for standardized environments.
- Microbiome analysis provides insights into disease modulation in neuroinflammatory conditions.
- Consistent environmental controls are essential for the validity of EAE and other animal disease models.
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