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Effect of multiple sclerosis materials on polymorphonuclear neutrophils of mice
Abstract:
An assessment was made of a bioassay for a multiple sclerosis (MS)-associated agent claimed to cause a depression in the proportion of circulating polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) in mice. Serum (1 sample), supernate from brain homogenates (four samples) and cerebrospinal fluid (four samples), and corresponding control materials, were tested under code by intraperitoneal injection into BALB/c mice. Results were plotted of proportions and absolute numbers of PMN over observation periods up to 2 weeks. Handling, injection and bleeding of mice did not significantly influence "baseline" counts of PMN. However, all samples from MS patients and controls caused an initial increase in PMN over 1--4 days, and then a later fall towards baseline. The claimed effect of MS materials in depressing counts of PMN in mice was not observed in these experiments, and variations in counts of PMN did not discriminate between samples from MS patients and controls.
Insights
This study investigated a bioassay for a multiple sclerosis (MS)-associated agent. The experiments did not find evidence that MS patient samples depress polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) counts in mice.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Animal Models
Background:
- A bioassay was proposed to detect a multiple sclerosis (MS)-associated agent.
- This agent was claimed to reduce circulating polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) in mice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the validity of a bioassay for an MS-associated agent.
- To determine if MS patient samples cause a depression in murine PMN counts.
Main Methods:
- Serum, brain homogenate, and cerebrospinal fluid samples from MS patients and controls were injected into BALB/c mice.
- Polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) proportions and numbers were monitored for up to two weeks.
- Experimental procedures did not significantly alter baseline PMN counts.
Main Results:
- All tested samples, from both MS patients and controls, initially increased PMN counts within 1-4 days, followed by a return towards baseline.
- No depression in PMN counts attributable to MS patient samples was observed.
- Variations in PMN counts did not differentiate between MS patients and control samples.
Conclusions:
- The investigated bioassay did not confirm the claimed effect of MS-associated agents in depressing murine PMN counts.
- The observed PMN fluctuations were not specific to MS patient samples.
- The bioassay is not suitable for detecting the purported MS-associated agent.