Axonal damage of demyelination disease in mice / 第三军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the axonal damages in demyelination disease and its time window and morphological features of damaged axons. Methods Mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS) was prepared by immunizing C57BL/6J mice with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptides35-55 (MOG 35-55) to induce experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Inflammation, demyelination and axonal damage at different time points of EAE including preonset, onset, peak and chronic were observed by common histology and specific stainings for the central nervous system. Results Demyelination and axonal damage occurred at the early stage of EAE, and was strongly related to inflammatory cell infiltration and demyelination of the central nervous system. Damaged axons showed the typical morphological features, including axon distortion, swelling, irregular diameter, axon transection with the ends ovoid, or bulb, and even axon disappearance. Conclusion Axonal damage is an early and common event in demyelination disease, and many factors might contribute to axonal damage.