Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), Münster

3 ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN JoVE

Immunology and Infection

Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG_35-55) Induced Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) in C57BL/6 Mice

Stefan Bittner^1,2, Ali M. Afzali¹, Heinz Wiendl¹, Sven G. Meuth^1,3

¹Department of Neurology, University of Münster, ²Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), Münster, ³Institute of Physiology – Neuropathophysiology, University of Münster

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an established animal model of multiple sclerosis. C57BL/6 mice are immunized with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) peptide 35-55 (MOG_35-55), resulting in an ascending flaccid paralysis caused by autoreactive immune cells in the central nervous system. Protocols for disease induction and monitoring will be discussed.

Neuroscience

Isolation of Primary Murine Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells

Tobias Ruck¹, Stefan Bittner^1,2, Lisa Epping¹, Alexander M. Herrmann¹, Sven G. Meuth^1,3

¹Department of Neurology, University of Münster, ²Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF) Münster, ³Institute of Physiology I — Neuropathophysiology I, University of Münster

Brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) are interconnected by specific junctional proteins forming a highly regulated barrier separating blood and the central nervous system (CNS), the so-called blood-brain-barrier (BBB). The isolation of primary murine brain microvascular endothelial cells, as discussed in this protocol, enables detailed in vitro studies of the BBB.

Immunology and Infection

An Ex vivo Model of an Oligodendrocyte-directed T-Cell Attack in Acute Brain Slices

Kerstin Göbel¹, Stefan Bittner^1,2, Manuela Cerina³, Alexander M. Herrmann¹, Heinz Wiendl¹, Sven G. Meuth^1,3

¹Department of Neurology, University of Münster, ²Germany and Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF) Münster, ³Institute of Physiology I - Neuropathophysiology I, University of Münster

To address mechanisms of demyelination and neuronal apoptosis in cortical lesions of inflammatory demyelinating disorders, different animal models are used. We here describe an ex vivo approach by using oligodendrocyte-specific CD8⁺ T-cells on brain slices, resulting in oligodendroglial and neuronal death. Potential applications and limitations of the model are discussed.