This direct EAE model uses female Lewis rats, 10 to 14 weeks old at the start of the study. EAE severity is usually scored for 2 to 3 weeks after immunization, making this the shortest of all EAE models offered by Hooke.
We recommend this model when historical or PK data favors rats over mice, or when cerebrospinal fluid is to be collected (collection in mice is difficult).
Rats are immunized with gpMBP69-88 emulsified in CFA, optionally followed by administration of pertussis toxin (PTX) in PBS. The emulsion provides antigen which initiates expansion and differentiation of MBP-specific autoimmune T cells.
Without PTX administration, the induced EAE has a single wave and rats fully recover.
If PTX is administered, a single wave of EAE will develop, followed by remission and a single relapse in 20 to 60% of rats.
Any standard EAE treatment regimen can be used, but semi-therapeutic treatment (starting when the first rats develop signs of EAE) is used more often than therapeutic treatment because Lewis rats experience synchronized and rapid EAE onset and recovery, leaving only a very small therapeutic window.
| Treatment | EAE incidence | MMS ± SD |
p value (MMS) |
End score ± SD |
p value (end score) |
End weight (%) ± SD |
p value (end weight) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle | 100% | 3.42 ± 0.20 | 0.58 ± 0.58 | 92.3 ± 2.5 | |||
| FTY720 | 0% | 0.00 ± 0.00 | 0.0013 | 0.00 ± 0.00 | 0.0219 | 104.6 ± 2.2 | <0.0001 |
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