Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “DEMYELINATION”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 721 records · Page 40Linked to original sources

Commentary: Sorting the wheat from the chaff: identifying demyelinating components of the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-specific autoantibody repertoire.

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is the only myelin protein known to initiate a demyelinating autoantibody response in EAE, an animal model for multiple sclerosis (MS). The pathophysiological significance of MOG-specific autoantibodies in MS is, however, controversial, as high titer antibody responses to MOG are also found in many patients with non-demyelinating neurological diseases. In this issue of the European Journal of Immunology, von Büdingen et al. demonstrate that demyelination in a primate model of MOG-induced EAE is mediated by MOG-specific antibodies directed against discontinuous, rather than linear, MOG epitopes. This functional segregation of pathogenic vs. non-pathogenic autoantibodies in terms of epitope specificity may be crucial to understand the relevance of MOG-specific responses in human disease. This commentary discusses these findings in the context of the structure and immunobiology of MOG, and their implications with respect to antibody-mediated demyelination in MS.

Animals↗

Native myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein promotes severe chronic neurological disease and demyelination in Biozzi ABH mice.

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is a powerful encephalitogen for experimental autoimmune demyelination. However, the use of MOG peptides or recombinant proteins representing part of the protein fails to fully address the possible pathogenic role of the full-length myelin-derived protein expressing post-translational modifications. Immunization of mice with central nervous system tissues from wild-type (WT) and MOG-deficient (MOG(-/-)) mice demonstrates that MOG in myelin is necessary for the development of chronic demyelinating experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice. While immunization with WT spinal cord homogenate (SCH) resulted in a progressive EAE phenotype, MOG(-/-) SCH induced a mild self-limiting acute disease. Following acute EAE with MOG(-/-) SCH, mice developed T cell responses to recombinant mouse MOG (rmMOG), indicating that MOG released from myelin is antigenic; however, the lack of chronic disease indicates that such responses were not pathogenic. Chronic demyelinating EAE was observed when MOG(-/-) SCH was reconstituted with a dose of rmMOG comparable to MOG in myelin (2.5% of total white matter-derived protein). These data reveal that while immunization with the full-length post-translational modified form of MOG in myelin promotes the development of a more chronic autoimmune demyelinating neurological disease, MOG (and/or other myelin proteins) released from myelin during ongoing disease do not induce destructive autoimmunity.

Animals↗

Transplantation of an acutely isolated bone marrow fraction repairs demyelinated adult rat spinal cord axons.

The potential of bone marrow cells to differentiate into myelin-forming cells and to repair the demyelinated rat spinal cord in vivo was studied using cell transplantation techniques. The dorsal funiculus of the spinal cord was demyelinated by x-irradiation treatment, followed by microinjection of ethidium bromide. Suspensions of a bone marrow cell fraction acutely isolated from femoral bones in LacZ transgenic mice were prepared by centrifugation on a density gradient (Ficoll-Paque) to remove erythrocytes, platelets, and debris. The isolated cell fraction contained hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic stem and precursor cells and lymphocytes. The cells were transplanted into the demyelinated dorsal column lesions of immunosuppressed rats. An intense blue beta-galactosidase reaction was observed in the transplantation zone. The genetically labeled bone marrow cells remyelinated the spinal cord with predominately a peripheral pattern of myelination reminiscent of Schwann cell myelination. Transplantation of CD34(+) hematopoietic stem cells survived in the lesion, but did not form myelin. These results indicate that bone marrow cells can differentiate in vivo into myelin-forming cells and repair demyelinated CNS.

Animals↗

In vivo 4.0-T magnetic resonance investigation of spinal cord inflammation, demyelination, and axonal damage in chronic-progressive experimental allergic encephalomyelitis.

PURPOSE: To image and dissect the lumbar spinal cord of guinea pigs with chronic-progressive experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (CP-EAE) and directly correlate the pathology to the magnetic resonance (MR) image data obtained at 4 T and determine if these MR contrasts can accurately differentiate a specific type of pathology from control tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The amount of inflammation, demyelination, and axonal pathology were quantified in the whole cord cross sections. The signal intensities (SIs) for 228 individual regions of interest (ROIs) (normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) and tissue containing inflammation with or without demyelination) were measured directly from the corresponding area on the MR images. RESULTS: Conventional MR contrast SIs and magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) were related to the degree of demyelination and presence of inflammation. MTR and proton density-weighted (PDw) SIs were both moderately related to axonal density. The SIs for NAWM and in lesions containing both cellular infiltrates and demyelination in all conventional MR contrast images were also increased, whereas the MTR was decreased when compared to control tissue. CONCLUSION: The SIs from the conventional MR contrasts and MTR at 4 T were sensitive to the presence of disease within CP-EAE spinal cord, but were not specific to the underlying pathology.

Analysis of Variance↗

Antibodies directed against rubella virus induce demyelination in aggregating rat brain cell cultures.

To link the presence of intrathecal virus-specific oligoclonal immunoglobulin G (IgG) in multiple sclerosis patients to a demyelinating activity, aggregating rat brain cell cultures were treated with antibodies directed against two viruses, namely, rubella (RV) and hepatitis B (HB). Anti-RV antibodies in the presence of complement decreased myelin basic protein concentrations in a dose-dependent manner, whereas anti-HB antibodies had no effect. A similar but less pronounced effect was observed on the enzymatic activity of 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase, which is enriched in noncompact membranes of oligodendrocytes. These effects were comparable to those in cultures treated with antibodies directed against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), previously found to be myelinotoxic both in vitro and in vivo. Sequence homologies were found between structural glycoprotein E(2) of RV and MOG, suggesting that demyelination was due to molecular mimicry. To support the hypothesis that demyelination was caused by anti-RV IgG that recognized an MOG epitope, we found that anti-RV antibodies depleted MOG in a dose-dependent manner. Further evidence came from the demonstration that anti-RV and anti-MOG IgG colocalized on oligodendrocyte processes and that both revealed by Western blot a 28 kDa protein in CNS myelin, a molecular weight corresponding to MOG. These findings suggest that a virus such as RV exhibiting molecular mimicry with MOG can trigger an autoimmune demyelination.

Animals↗

Quantitative assessment of neurologic deficits in a chronic progressive murine model of CNS demyelination.

The precise factors involved in the development of a progressive motor dysfunction, a hallmark of immune-mediated demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis, are not well defined. The ability to identify neurologic deficits that result in impaired motor performance early in disease may allow for the identification of therapeutic interventions that slow or eliminate the progression toward a permanent dysfunction. Here we describe the use of three objective, quantitative functional assays (spontaneous activity box, rotarod, and footprint analysis) to detect early neurologic deficits following the initiation of a demyelinating disease with Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV). The results show that the assays are capable of revealing neurologic deficits at the early stages of the demyelinating disease process. These findings are the first to objectively characterize neurologic function in an animal model of progressive CNS demyelination.

Acute Disease↗

Distinctive patterns of PDGF-A, FGF-2, IGF-I, and TGF-beta1 gene expression during remyelination of experimentally-induced spinal cord demyelination.

Although remyelination is a well-recognized regenerative process following both experimental and naturally occurring CNS demyelination, remarkably little is known about the molecules involved in its orchestration. In this study we have examined the mRNA expression of seven growth factors that influence oligodendrocyte lineage cells, during the remyelination of lysolecithin-induced demyelination in the rat spinal cord. These lesions involve rapid demyelination of axons, which undergo extensive remyelination between 10 and 28 days. The distribution and levels of expression of PDGF-A, IGF-I, CNTF, FGF-2, TGF-beta1, GGF-2, and NT-3 mRNAs were examined at 2, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28 days post-lesion induction, both within the lesion and within dorsal root ganglia whose axons transverse the lesion, by quantitative in situ hybridization using 35S-labeled oligonucleotide probes. large increases in IGF-I and TGF-beta1 mRNAs were evident within the spinal cord by 5 days. These levels peaked at 10 days at a time when new myelin sheaths appear and had declined by 28 days. Increases in FGF-2 and PDGF-A mRNAs were less intense and less widely distributed than those of IGF-I and TGF-1, but remained elevated for a longer duration. There were no changes in expression of CNTF, NT-3, or GGF-2 mRNAs within the lesioned cords; neither were ther changes in levels of expression of any growth factor mRNAs in the dorsal root ganglia. This work therefore indicates that some but not all members of the family of growth factors that affect the oligodendrocyte lineage are expressed during remyelination of demyelinated spinal cord axons and provides the data on which future studies on the specific roles of these factors in orchestrating this important regenerative process will be based.

Animals↗

Comparison of a Chemically Mediated and an Immunologically Mediated Demyelinating Lesion Model

The production of two animal models for the central nervous system degenerative condition multiple sclerosis is described in detail. The first is a chemically mediated noninflammatory demyelinating lesion of the brain stem induced by the injection of a trypanocidal DNA binding dye, ethidium bromide, into the cerebellomedullary cistern. The injection does not involve any physical damage to the blood-brain barrier or the CSF-brain barrier and is simple to perform. The second lesion model is an immunologically mediated demyelinating condition involving the injection of a T-cell line specific for myelin basic protein, followed by injection of a monoclonal antibody against the myelin surface protein, myelin/oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. We describe the production of the antigen-specific T-cell line in detail. This model is characterized by widespread inflammatory infiltrates accompanied by areas of demyelination. Both of these models are produced in the Lewis rat, allowing the direct comparison of mechanisms involved in demyelination and repair in the presence or absence of invading inflammatory cells. Despite the very different etiologies of the two lesion models, they are both acute and result in efficient remyelination.

Journal Article↗

Expression of carbonic anhydrase II mRNA and protein in oligodendrocytes during toxic demyelination in the young adult mouse.

The aim of this study was to identify events that might take place in oligodendrocytes early in the process of demyelination, i.e., before the occurrence of massive loss of myelin. It was considered important to focus on demyelination and remyelination in young adults, in whose brains there would be relatively few juvenile glial precursor cells. CAII mRNA and protein were used to monitor changes in oligodendrocytes during cuprizone intoxication in the mice. After four or eight weeks of cuprizone feeding CAII message became less plentiful in oligodendrocyte processes. Two days after removal of cuprizone CAII message had appeared in those cell processes. Four or eight weeks after beginning cuprizone feeding CAII protein had decreased approximately 25% in forebrain homogenates. The loss of CAII protein was reversible after four weeks on cuprizone, but not after eight weeks. After four weeks of cuprizone feeding the numbers of CAII mRNA-positive oligodendrocytes had decreased by approximately 50%, and after eight weeks, by approximately 80%. By 12 weeks, however, the number of oligodendrocytes expressing CAII mRNA had spontaneously returned to normal levels. Before eight weeks of cuprizone feeding, loss of myelinated tracts in the corpus striatum was reversible. Demyelination appeared to become irreversible after nine weeks of intoxication, although expression of CAII mRNA remained reversible. The results suggest that in the brain of the young adult, oligodendrocytes expressing message for CAII can be generated spontaneously shortly before demyelination becomes irreversible, and can survive and continue to express CAII mRNA but not CAII protein.

Animals↗

Spectroscopic magnetic resonance imaging of a tumefactive demyelinating lesion.

Tumefactive demyelinating lesions can present with features similar, clinically and radiologically, to those of brain tumours. Proton MR spectroscopy has been increasingly used to characterize intracranial pathology. As the underlying pathophysiology of neoplasms is different from that of demyelinating disease, one may expect the metabolic composition of neoplasms to be significantly different from that of demyelinating lesions. We report a 49-year-old woman in whom the neurologic and radiologic findings were highly suggestive of a high-grade brain tumor, and the spectroscopic features were sufficiently similar to that of a tumor to convince the neurosurgeon to operate. This case emphasizes the need for caution when confronted with a patient who presents with a differential diagnosis of demyelinating lesion versus neoplasm.

Brain Neoplasms↗

Aphasia as a rare presentation of monosymptomatic demyelinating disease: case report and review of the literature.

We present a case of sudden-onset aphasia due to a single pathological lesion, which at neuroradiological imaging studies was suggestive of glioma, while on biopsy proved be of demyelinating nature. Every cause of demyelinating lesions of the central nervous system was considered in the differential diagnosis, concluding for a primary demyelinating disease. The clinical and radiological differences between multiple sclerosis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis are discussed. Although aphasia has already been described in demyelinating diseases, we underline its rarity as onset symptom.

Aphasia↗

Induction of demyelination by intraneural injection of antibodies against sulfoglucuronyl paragloboside.

Sulfoglucuronyl glycolipids (SGGLs) carry the glucuronyl 3-sulfate (HNK-1) epitope which is recognized by monoclonal IgM paraproteins from patients with demyelinating polyneuropathy. We report that intraneural injections of rat anti-SGGL antibodies induce demyelination in rat sciatic nerve, along with mild to moderate clinical symptoms. Morphologically, vesiculation and loosening of the myelin sheath were observed 3 h postinjection, followed by extensive demyelination and macrophage infiltration after 4 days. Since the anti-SGGL antibodies showed no cross-reactivity with other components in rat sciatic nerve, these results indicate that SGGLs alone can serve as the target antigens in demyelinating neuropathy.

Animals↗

Canine distemper and experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in the dog: comparative patterns of demyelination.

The pattern of virus-induced and allergic demyelinating encephalomyelitis in the dog were compared. The predominant pattern of myelin loss in canine distemper (CD) infection was focal, periventricular and was initially noninflammatory. In contrast, sensitization to myelin produced a uniform pattern of central nervous system (CNS) myelinolysis which was disseminated, inflammatory and perivascular. Ultrastructurally, virus-infected neuroglia participated in the demyelination in CD, whereas infiltrating haematogenous mononuclear cells predominated in the lesions of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). Areas of predilection within the CNS differed, being influenced by viral spread in CD and by vascular factors in EAE. In CD, the paramyxovirus appears to play a central role in the process of demyelination. In contrast to EAE, however, these studies do not support the view that autoreactivity to myelin contributes to the pathogenesis of CD demyelinating encephalomyelitis.

Animals↗

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. Characterization of serum factors causing demyelination and swelling of myelin.

Serum factors in rabbits with white matter-induced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (WM-EAE) were studied with respect to their role in demyelination in vitro in organotypic central nervous system (CNS) tissue cultures and in vivo in the myelinated retina of the rabbit eye. By absorption with staphylococcal protein A, IgG was quantitatively separated from the other serum proteins. No IgG was demonstrable in the absorbed IgG-depleted sera by Ouchterlony double diffusion, immunoelectrophoresis and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Both the IgG-depleted WM-EAE sera and the IgG fractions had complement-dependent demyelinating activity on CNS cultures, and both contained immunoglobulin binding to myelin and oligodendroglia of the cultures, as demonstrated by an immunoperoxidase technique. However, only the purified IgG fractions in the absence of complement induced swelling of myelin and proliferation of oligodendroglial processes with redundant myelin in tissue cultures. The IgG-depleted complement-inactivated WM-EAE sera produced no morphological changes. In the rabbit eye model, antibody-dependent cell-mediated demyelination was observed only with the IgG fractions but not with the IgG-depleted EAE sera. No oligodendroglial proliferation occurred. These studies demonstrate for the first time that in CNS cultures, non-IgG immunoglobulins as well as IgG mediate complement-dependent demyelination and that these bind to myelin and oligodendrocytes, whereas only IgG causes myelin swelling and oligodendrocyte proliferation.

Animals↗

Saltatory conduction precedes remyelination in axons demyelinated with lysophosphatidyl choline.

The changing electrical and morphological properties of demyelinating and remyelinating nerve fibres have been studied in rat ventral roots after intrathecal injection of lysophosphatidyl choline (LPC). The spatial distribution of electrical excitability within the lesion has been studied in undissected single fibres using high-resolution longitudinal current analysis. The distribution of excitability has been correlated with the ultrastructure of the fibres and with the distribution of the surrounding Schwann cells. Demyelinated axolemma was initially not excited, but conduction across demyelinated internodes appeared progressively from the 4th day after LPC injection. Conduction was never continuous, but proceeded via new foci of inward membrane current as early as 4 days after LPC injection, i.e. 3 days before the onset of remyelination. It is suggested that these foci (termed phi-nodes to distinguish them from the nodes of Ranvier distributed along myelinated nerve fibres) are precursors of nodes of Ranvier, and may indicate aggregates of sodium channels which form along the demyelinated axolemma prior to remyelination.

Animals↗

Antigalactocerebroside serum demyelinates optic nerve in vivo.

Antiserum to the myelin lipid galactocerebroside (GalC) causes rapidly progressive focal demyelination when injected into guinea pig optic nerves. The capacity of anti-GalC to induce central nervous system demyelination is complement-dependent, and demyelinating activity is present in the immunoglobulin fraction of anti-GalC serum. Demyelination appears to result from primary damage to oligodendrocytes.

Animals↗

Dose-dependency of MBP-induced demyelination in the guinea pig.

The pathology of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced by bovine myelin basic protein (MBP) has been examined in the guinea pig with a series of doses ranging from 37.5 micrograms to 600 micrograms. This was to investigate whether the previously demonstrated lack of demyelinative effect by MBP was dose-related. At all doses tested, MBP induced clinical disease. Inflammation was the major feature of lesions in all animals. However, no demyelination was seen when 75 micrograms MBP or less was given. At higher doses (150 micrograms upwards), MBP always induced intense inflammation but demyelination was encountered inconsistently. These observations support the contention that in addition to an immune response to MBP, other factors contribute to autoimmune demyelination.

Animals↗

An electrophysiological and histological study of trypsin induced demyelination.

Ten-microliters quantities of trypsin or saline were injected into rat tibial nerve and the physiological and histological changes evaluated and compared to the focal demyelinating lesions induced by intraneural injection of rabbit EAN serum and proteinase K. The injection of trypsin produced progressive conduction block that was maximal on day 4, and a slowing of motor nerve conduction. Early retraction of myelin at paranodes, vesicular change, and macrophage stripping of myelin from nerve axons were seen on histological examination. At day 4, the first groups of completely demyelinated axons were seen, typically in a perivascular distribution. These changes were similar to those seen in the positive controls and thus support the postulate that proteolytic enzymes from macrophages--the dominant cellular species within the demyelinating lesion, play a central role in degradation of the myelin sheath in demyelinating diseases.

Animals↗