Inconsistence between number and function of autoreactive T cells in the course of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

ABSTRACTBackground: Mouse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is widely used model of multiple sclerosis (MS). The role of autoreactive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the development of mouse EAE has been demonstrated. However, little information is available about the relation between the frequency and reactivity of myelin antigen-reactive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in secondary lymphoid organs and their relevance with the inflammation and pathological lesion of CNS during the course of EAE mouse model.Methods: In this study, an EAE model with a clinical course containing acute onset, peak and chronic remission stages was established in C57BL/6J mice by myelin oligodendrocyte protein (MOG)35–55 peptide immunization, and followed by the monitoring of clinical and pathological parameters and autoreactive T cells at different stages during the course.Results: The dynamic changes of inflammatory infiltration, myelin loss, and astrocyte proliferation in brain and spinal cord were highly consistent with clini...