Multiple Sclerosis Models

Cuprizone [oxalic acid bis(cyclohexylidene hydrazide)] is a copper-chelating compound. The chemical properties of cuprizone are well-established. It is used to produce a toxic demyelination in mice to generate a model of multiple sclerosis. A good review of this MS model can be found in Torkildsen et al., 2008.

Administration of cuprizone to mice induces damage to oligodendrocytes with concomitant microglial activation and astrogliosis, primarily in the corpus callosum. When mice are put back on normal chow, spontaneous remyelination occurs via the migration and maturation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs).

Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG) is a transmembrane protein expressed by oligodendrocytes and forms part of the myelin sheath. It is used as an antigen to induce autoimmune-mediated demyelination in C57BL/6 mice to serve as a multiple sclerosis model.

We observe motor symptoms, including ascending paralysis, in the EAE mouse model. We use a well-established motor scoring system to evaluate disease progression. We can also quantitatively measure grip strength in these mice.

Yes, we can use multiplex immunofluorescence to identify different stages of the oligodendrocyte lineage in the cuprizone MS model.