Modelos animais para estudo de Esclerose Múltipla

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis MS is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system CNS that affects mainly young adults. Of idiopathic etiology, it is believed that autoimmune mechanisms, genetic predisposition, history of viral infection, smoking, hypovitaminosis D, reduced exposure to ultraviolet rays and geographic location are factors associated with the development of the disease.One of the main features linked to MS is the occurrence of demyelinated lesions that creates an environment that prevents access, survival and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs).In the course of the disease a failure in remyelination process occurs, mainly in chronic process of lesions.The clinical manifestations of the disease are attributed to the appearance of these lesions during periods of an outbreak, especially in the initial phase of the disease.The most common symptoms are: impaired vision due to inflammation of the optic nerve (optic neuritis), disabilities related to movement, cognitive and memory impairments, sensory deficits and a serie of heterogeneous manifestations, fact that hindered the rapid establishment of a definitive diagnosis. The disease can be classified as Recurrent Remitting (EMRR), the most common type of MS, where it can be observed the occurrence of sudden outbreaks that last at least 24 hours reaching days or weeks and regressing thereafter. In the Progressive Primary (EMPP) type, the patient does not have outbreaks, but progressively develops symptoms and sequels due to the disease. And finally the Secondary-Progressive (EMSP), which is defined when the patient initially presents outbreaks and remissions and, after some time, the disease becomes progressive and the patient worsens slowly, without necessarily having new outbreaks.This work aims to describe different animal models for the study of multiple sclerosis, pointing out their methodologies, use and reproducibility. There are several animal models for MS study, using different compounds as inducers, such as toxins, antibodies, cuprizone, among others. One of the animal models that most resemble characteristics of the Multiple Sclerosis in humans is the Experimental Autoimmune Encealomyelitis model, which besides to have excellent reproducibility is one of the most used model.