Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyeltis (EAE)
Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) serves as an animal model of Multiple Sclerosis. Typically, a scoring system is used that classifies the EAE into different degrees based on the observation of clinical deficits. See [1] as an example.
0, no clinical deficits
1, tail weakness
2, hind limb paresis
3, partial hind limb paralysis
3.5, full hind limb paralysis
4, full hind limb paralysis and forelimb paresis
5, premorbid or dead
Animals need to be scored at least daily, increasing frequencies with scores 3 and higher.
Experimental Endpoint
In each case, it must be carefully considered what information the experiment should provide. Depending on this, it must be defined up to which score the animals need to be kept in the experiment. Animals that exceed the score are to be humanely killed immediately.
Humane Endpoint
Animals reaching a clinical score of 4 or above have to be humanely killed immediately.
Husbandry Refinement
Animals with paresis or paralysis of the hind limbs have difficulties to move about the cage in regular bedding. Instead of bedding, either laboratory bench liner or universal fleece cloth (cleaning cloths) can be used making it much easier for mice with deficits of the hind limbs to move around. In addition, wet gel and food needs to be provided on the cage floor. The liner needs to be replaced once or twice weekly depending on the degree of soiling.
- ↑ Engler, Jan Broder; Heckmann, Nina F.; Jäger, Jan; Gold, Stefan M.; Friese, Manuel A. (23 August 2019). "Pregnancy Enables Expansion of Disease-Specific Regulatory T Cells in an Animal Model of Multiple Sclerosis". The Journal of Immunology. 203 (7): 1743–1752. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.1900611. ISSN 0022-1767.
