Animal Models of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis is the chronic autoimmune disorder of the sensory system coordinated against its own particular myelin antigens. It is the basic incapacitating neurological illness influencing generally youth and grown-ups between the age of 20 and 40 years. Myelin is a protein that makes up the myelin sheath around the nerve fibers (axons). The myelin cells are called as oligodendrocytes which are the main ground for disease initiation. The term multiple sclerosis is related to formation of scar tissues or plaques or lesions in particular areas of the brain, especially the white matter. Seven decades of research, propose cause behind the disease is exposure to environmental pathogenic organism leads to activation of autoreactive T-cells that recognize CNS autoantigens which led to development of inflammatory reactions and demyelination. It is additionally known to be an inflammatory disease of the white matter portrayed by dynamic and broad deterioration of the myelin sheath and axonal points in neuron, leading to progressive paralysis of hind-limb. The myelin in the oligodendrocytes–myelin–axon unit of the CNS protects and nourishes the axon and increases the cross-sectional diameter of the nerve axon which regulates conduction. This integrally coordinated unit is disturbed due to multiple sclerosis. In MS, decreased axonal density and volume in plaque affected areas as well as in normal appearing CNS tissue contribute to atrophy of brain and spinal cord which lead to permanent disability.