Name: visualizing impairment of the endothelial and glial barriers of the neurovascular unit during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in vivo
Uploaded: 2019-03-26T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Visualizing Impairment of the Endothelial and Glial Barriers of the Neurovascular Unit during Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis In Vivo at JoVE.com

We gratefully acknowledge Lydia Sorokin, who has shared her original in situ zymography protocol10 with us.&#160;

All studies were conducted under the guidelines according to the Swiss legislation on the protection of animals and were approved by the Veterinary Office of the Canton of Bern, Switzerland (permission numbers: BE 31/17 and BE 77/18).
1. Housing of C57BL/6 mice in specific pathogen free (SPF) conditions
<ol>
	<li>House mice in individual ventilated cages with a 12/12 h light-dark cycle. Provide food and water ad libidum.&#160;To supervise microbiological quality of the mice, the experimental...

<ol>
	<li>Tietz, S., Engelhardt, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Brain+barriers:+Crosstalk+between+complex+tight+junctions+and+adherens+junctions.">Brain barriers: Crosstalk between complex tight junctions and adherens junctions.</a> Journal of Cell Biology. 209, 493-506 (2015).</li><li>Wu, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Endothelial+basement+membrane+laminin+alpha5+selectively+inhibits+T+lymphocyte+extravasation+into+the+brain.">Endothelial basement membrane laminin alpha5 selectively inhibits T lymphocyte extravasation into the brain.</a> Nature Medicine. 15, 519-527 (2009).</li><li>Hannocks, M. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Molecular+characterization+of+perivascular+drainage+pathways+in+the+murine+brain.">Molecular characterization of perivascular drainage pathways in the murine brain.</a> Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow &amp; Metabolism. 38, 669-686 (2018).</li><li>Kermode, A. G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Breakdown+of+the+blood-brain+barrier+precedes+symptoms+and+other+MRI+signs+of+new+lesions+in+multiple+sclerosis.+Pathogenetic+and+clinical+implications.">Breakdown of the blood-brain barrier precedes symptoms and other MRI signs of new lesions in multiple sclerosis. Pathogenetic and clinical implications.</a> Brain. 113 (Pt 5), 1477-1489 (1990).</li><li>Tommasin, S., Gianni, C., De Giglio, L., Pantano, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neuroimaging+techniques+to+assess+inflammation+in+Multiple+Sclerosis.">Neuroimaging techniques to assess inflammation in Multiple Sclerosis.</a> Neuroscience. , (2017).</li><li>Lopes Pinheiro, M. 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I., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Visualizing+context-dependent+calcium+signaling+in+encephalitogenic+T+cells+in+vivo+by+two-photon+microscopy.">Visualizing context-dependent calcium signaling in encephalitogenic T cells in vivo by two-photon microscopy.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 114, E6381-E6389 (2017).</li><li>Lodygin, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+combination+of+fluorescent+NFAT+and+H2B+sensors+uncovers+dynamics+of+T+cell+activation+in+real+time+during+CNS+autoimmunity.">A combination of fluorescent NFAT and H2B sensors uncovers dynamics of T cell activation in real time during CNS autoimmunity.</a> Nature Medicine. 19, 784-790 (2013).</li><li>Agrawal, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dystroglycan+is+selectively+cleaved+at+the+parenchymal+basement+membrane+at+sites+of+leukocyte+extravasation+in+experimental+autoimmune+encephalomyelitis.">Dystroglycan is selectively cleaved at the parenchymal basement membrane at sites of leukocyte extravasation in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.</a> Journal of Experimental Medicine. 203, 1007-1019 (2006).</li><li>Song, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Focal+MMP-2+and+MMP-9+activity+at+the+blood-brain+barrier+promotes+chemokine-induced+leukocyte+migration.">Focal MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity at the blood-brain barrier promotes chemokine-induced leukocyte migration.</a> Cell Reports. 10, 1040-1054 (2015).</li><li>Tietz, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lack+of+junctional+adhesion+molecule+(JAM)-B+ameliorates+experimental+autoimmune+encephalomyelitis.">Lack of junctional adhesion molecule (JAM)-B ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.</a> Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. 73, 3-20 (2018).</li><li>Mähler Convenor, M., Berard, M., Feinstein, R., Gallagher, A., Illgen-Wilcke, B., Pritchett-Corning, K., Raspa, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=FELASA+recommendations+for+the+health+monitoring+of+mouse,+rat,+hamster,+guinea+pig+and+rabbit+colonies+in+breeding+and+experimental+units.">FELASA recommendations for the health monitoring of mouse, rat, hamster, guinea pig and rabbit colonies in breeding and experimental units.</a> Lab Anim. 48 (3), 178-192 (2014).</li><li>Bittner, S., Afzali, A. M., Wiendl, H., Meuth, S. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Myelin+oligodendrocyte+glycoprotein+(MOG35-55)+induced+experimental+autoimmune+encephalomyelitis+(EAE)+in+C57BL/6+mice.">Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG35-55) induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in C57BL/6 mice.</a> Journal of Visual Experiments. , (2014).</li><li>Tietz, S. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Refined+clinical+scoring+in+comparative+EAE+studies+does+not+enhance+the+chance+to+observe+statistically+significant+differences.">Refined clinical scoring in comparative EAE studies does not enhance the chance to observe statistically significant differences.</a> European Journal of Immunology. 46, 2481-2483 (2016).</li><li>Mendel, I., Kerlero de Rosbo, N., Ben-Nun, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+myelin+oligodendrocyte+glycoprotein+peptide+induces+typical+chronic+experimental+autoimmune+encephalomyelitis+in+H-2b+mice:+fine+specificity+and+T+cell+receptor+V+beta+expression+of+encephalitogenic+T+cells.">A myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide induces typical chronic experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in H-2b mice: fine specificity and T cell receptor V beta expression of encephalitogenic T cells.</a> European Journal of Immunology. 25, 1951-1959 (1995).</li><li>Miller, S. D., Karpus, W. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Experimental+autoimmune+encephalomyelitis+in+the+mouse.">Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in the mouse.</a> Current Protocols in Immunology. 15, (2007).</li><li>Sobel, R. A., Tuohy, V. K., Lu, Z. J., Laursen, R. A., Lees, M. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Acute+experimental+allergic+encephalomyelitis+in+SJL/J+mice+induced+by+a+synthetic+peptide+of+myelin+proteolipid+protein.">Acute experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in SJL/J mice induced by a synthetic peptide of myelin proteolipid protein.</a> Journal of Neuropathology &amp; Experimental Neurology. 49, 468-479 (1990).</li><li>Westarp, M. E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=T+lymphocyte+line-mediated+experimental+allergic+encephalomyelitis--a+pharmacologic+model+for+testing+of+immunosuppressive+agents+for+the+treatment+of+autoimmune+central+nervous+system+disease.">T lymphocyte line-mediated experimental allergic encephalomyelitis--a pharmacologic model for testing of immunosuppressive agents for the treatment of autoimmune central nervous system disease.</a> Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 242, 614-620 (1987).</li><li>Klotz, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=B7-H1+shapes+T-cell-mediated+brain+endothelial+cell+dysfunction+and+regional+encephalitogenicity+in+spontaneous+CNS+autoimmunity.">B7-H1 shapes T-cell-mediated brain endothelial cell dysfunction and regional encephalitogenicity in spontaneous CNS autoimmunity.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 113, E6182-E6191 (2016).</li><li>Tietz, S. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=MK2+and+Fas+receptor+contribute+to+the+severity+of+CNS+demyelination.">MK2 and Fas receptor contribute to the severity of CNS demyelination.</a> PLoS One. 9, e100363 (2014).</li><li>Coisne, C., Mao, W., Engelhardt, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cutting+edge:+Natalizumab+blocks+adhesion+but+not+initial+contact+of+human+T+cells+to+the+blood-brain+barrier+in+vivo+in+an+animal+model+of+multiple+sclerosis.">Cutting edge: Natalizumab blocks adhesion but not initial contact of human T cells to the blood-brain barrier in vivo in an animal model of multiple sclerosis.</a> Journal of Immunology. 182, 5909-5913 (2009).</li><li>Korner, H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Critical+points+of+tumor+necrosis+factor+action+in+central+nervous+system+autoimmune+inflammation+defined+by+gene+targeting.">Critical points of tumor necrosis factor action in central nervous system autoimmune inflammation defined by gene targeting.</a> Journal of Experimental Medicine. 186, 1585-1590 (1997).</li><li>Krueger, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Blood-brain+barrier+breakdown+involves+four+distinct+stages+of+vascular+damage+in+various+models+of+experimental+focal+cerebral+ischemia.">Blood-brain barrier breakdown involves four distinct stages of vascular damage in various models of experimental focal cerebral ischemia.</a> Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow &amp; Metabolism. 35, 292-303 (2015).</li><li>Hawkins, B. T., Egleton, R. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fluorescence+imaging+of+blood-brain+barrier+disruption.">Fluorescence imaging of blood-brain barrier disruption.</a> Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 151, 262-267 (2006).</li><li>Graesser, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Altered+vascular+permeability+and+early+onset+of+experimental+autoimmune+encephalomyelitis+in+PECAM-1-deficient+mice.">Altered vascular permeability and early onset of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in PECAM-1-deficient mice.</a> Journal of Clinical Investigation. 109, 383-392 (2002).</li><li>Engelhardt, B., Sorokin, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+blood-brain+and+the+blood-cerebrospinal+fluid+barriers:+function+and+dysfunction.">The blood-brain and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barriers: function and dysfunction.</a> Seminars in Immunopathology. 31, 497-511 (2009).</li><li>Owens, T., Bechmann, I., Engelhardt, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Perivascular+spaces+and+the+two+steps+to+neuroinflammation.">Perivascular spaces and the two steps to neuroinflammation.</a> Journal of Neuropathology &amp; Experimental Neurology. 67, 1113-1121 (2008).</li><li>Sixt, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Endothelial+cell+laminin+isoforms,+laminins+8+and+10,+play+decisive+roles+in+T+cell+recruitment+across+the+blood-brain+barrier+in+experimental+autoimmune+encephalomyelitis.">Endothelial cell laminin isoforms, laminins 8 and 10, play decisive roles in T cell recruitment across the blood-brain barrier in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.</a> Journal of Cell Biology. 153, 933-946 (2001).</li><li>Grewal, I. S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=CD62L+is+required+on+effector+cells+for+local+interactions+in+the+CNS+to+cause+myelin+damage+in+experimental+allergic+encephalomyelitis.">CD62L is required on effector cells for local interactions in the CNS to cause myelin damage in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis.</a> Immunity. 14, 291-302 (2001).</li></ol>

Here, we present a protocol to induce and monitor EAE in female C57BL/6 mice. Females are preferentially chosen, and there is a incidence of women : men of 3:1 in MS. To assess the severity of EAE, we made use of a 3-point scoring sheet. EAE severity is generally scored with respect to the severity of motor dysfunctions. Mice with advanced stages of EAE, i.e. exhibiting a score above 2 should be sacrificed to avoid unnecessary suffering of the animals. Thus, it is recommended to score the mice at close intervals e.g. twi...

The central nervous system (CNS) coordinates all body and mental functions in vertebrates, and CNS homeostasis is essential for a proper communication of neurons. CNS homeostasis is warranted by the neurovascular unit (NVU), which protects the CNS from the changing milieu of the blood stream. The NVU is composed of CNS microvascular endothelial cells, which are biochemically unique and establish the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in continuous crosstalk with pericytes, astrocytes, neurons, and extracellular matrix (ECM) components, establishing two distinct basement membranes1. The endothelial basement membrane that ensheathes the abluminal aspect of the BBB endothelial cells harbors a high number of pericytes and is composed of laminin &#945;4 and laminin &#945;5, in addition to other ECM proteins2. In contrast, the parenchymal basement membrane consists of laminin &#945;1 and laminin &#945;2 and is embraced by astrocytic end-feet. The parenchymal basement membrane together with the astrocyte end-feet composes the glia limitans that segregates the CNS neuronal network from the cerebrospinal fluid filled perivascular or subarachnoid spaces3. Due to the unique architecture of the NVU, immune cell trafficking into the CNS is distinct from that into peripheral tissues as it requires a two-step process with the immune cells, first breaching the endothelial BBB and subsequently the glia limitans in order to reach the CNS parenchyma.&#160;
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common neuroinflammatory disease of the CNS, in which a large number of circulating immune cells enter the CNS and cause neuroinflammation, demyelination, and focal loss of BBB integrity4. Loss of BBB integrity is an early hallmark of MS, as indicated by the presence of gadolinium contrast enhancing lesions in the CNS as visualized by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)5. Leukocyte extravasation into the CNS occurs at the level of postcapillary venules; however, the precise mechanisms involved in immune cell diapedesis across the BBB basement membrane and subsequently the glial barrier remain to be explored. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) serves as an animal model for MS and has significantly contributed to our current knowledge about MS pathogenesis. For instance, using the EAE model it has been discovered that leukocyte extravasation occurs in a multistep process, including an initial capture and rolling step mediated by selectins and mucin-like molecules such as P-selectin glycoprotein ligand (PSGL)-1, followed by integrin-dependent firm arrest and crawling of T cells on BBB endothelial cells to permissive sides for diapedesis6.&#160;
Once T cells have crossed the endothelial BBB and the endothelial basement membrane, they need to encounter their cognate antigen on macrophages or dendritic cells strategically localized in the leptomeningeal or perivascular spaces. This interaction induces focal production of pro-inflammatory mediators that trigger the subsequent mechanisms required for CNS tissue invasion of immune cells via the glia limitans7,8,9. Focal activation of matrix-metalloproteinases (MMP) -2 and MMP-9 alters chemokine activation and induces degradation of extracellular matrix receptors on astrocyte end-feet, which is a prerequisite for immune cell migration across the glia limitans into the CNS parenchyma and to induce the onset of clinical symptoms of EAE10,11.&#160;
Combining detection of CNS infiltrating immune cell with BBB leakage and gelatinase activity in CNS tissue sections provides valuable information about the functional integrity of the endothelial and glial barrier in the context of neuroinflammation. For instance, we recently investigated the constitutive loss of the endothelial tight junction molecule junctional adhesion molecule (JAM)-B in immune cell trafficking into the CNS in the context of EAE. Compared to healthy wild-type C57BL/6 mice, healthy JAM-B-deficient littermates showed no impairment of BBB integrity as shown by in vivo permeability assessment using endogenous as well as exogenous tracers12. In the context of EAE, JAM-B-deficient C57BL/6 mice showed ameliorated disease symptoms, which was associated with inflammatory cell trapping in the leptomeningeal and perivascular spaces12. To examine this phenomenon we applied in situ zymography, allowing identification of gelatinase activity in order to test if lack of gelatinase activity in JAM-B-deficient mice may be responsible for the reduced numbers of immune cells able to breach the glia limitans12.&#160;&#160;
Given the availability of different genetically modified mouse models lacking, e.g., different BBB tight junction molecules that might cause changes in BBB function, methodologies for investigating BBB integrity are important. In addition, newly developed drugs could impact on NVU barriers. Here we show how to induce EAE in C57BL/6 mice by active immunization with the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-peptide aa35-55 in complete Freund&#8217;s adjuvants. We then explain how to localize immune cell infiltration across the endothelial and glial barriers of the NVU and how to study in vivo endothelial and glial barrier integrity by in situ detection of exogenous tracers and gelatinase activity, respectively.&#160;&#160;

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr >
			<td >AMCA anti-rabbit antibody</td>
			<td >Jackson ImmunoResearch</td>
			<td >111-156-045</td>
			<td >Store at 4 &#176;C; protect from light</td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Anti-CD45 Antibody (30F11)</td>
			<td >Pharmingen</td>
			<td >07-1401</td>
			<td >Store at 4 &#176;C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Anti-Laminin Antibody</td>
			<td >DAKO</td>
			<td >Z0097</td>
			<td >Store at 4 &#176;C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Breeding food</td>
			<td >e.g. PROVIMI KLIBA SA</td>
			<td >3336</td>
			<td ></td>
		</tr>
			<tr >
			<td >Individually ventilated cages, Blue line Type II or III</td>
			<td >e.g. Tecniplast	</td>
			<td >1145T, 1285L</td>
			<td ></td>
		</tr>	
		<tr >
			<td >BSA fraction V</td>
			<td >Applichem</td>
			<td >A1391</td>
			<td >Store at 4 &#176;C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Cold gelatine</td>
			<td >Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td >G 9391</td>
			<td ></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Coplin jar + rack</td>
			<td >e.g. Carl Roth GmbH + Co. KG</td>
			<td >H554.1; H552.1</td>
			<td ></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Cy3 anti-rat antibody</td>
			<td >Jackson ImmunoResearch</td>
			<td >111-156-144</td>
			<td >Store at 4 &#176;C; protect from light</td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Cover slips 24 x 40 mm # 1</td>
			<td >e.g. Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td >85-0186-00</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Dextran Alexa Fluor 488 (10,000 MW)</td>
			<td >e.g. Molecular probes</td>
			<td >D22910</td>
			<td >Store at -20 &#176;C; protect from light</td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Dextran Texas Red (3000 MW)</td>
			<td >Invitrogen</td>
			<td >D3328</td>
			<td >Store at -20 &#176;C; protect from light</td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >EnzChek Gelatinase/Collagenase Assay Kit&#160;</td>
			<td >Thermo Fisher Scientific; EnzCheck</td>
			<td >E12055</td>
			<td >Store at -20 &#176;C; protect form light</td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Female C57BL/6J mice (8-12 weeks)</td>
			<td >e.g. Janvier Labs</td>
			<td ></td>
			<td >Females, 8-12 weeks</td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Freezing box for histology slides</td>
			<td >e.g. Carl Roth GmbH + Co. KG</td>
			<td >2285.1</td>
			<td ></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >18G x 1&#189;&#8217;&#8217; (1.2mm x 40mm) injection needle</td>
			<td >e.g. BD, BD Microlance 3</td>
			<td >304622</td>
			<td ></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >27G x &#190;&#8217;&#8217; &#8211; Nr. 20 (0.4mm x 19mm) injection needle</td>
			<td >e.g. BD, BD Microlance 3</td>
			<td >302200</td>
			<td ></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >30G x &#189;&#8217;&#8217; (0.3 mm x 13 mm) injection needle</td>
			<td >e.g. BD, BD Microlance 3</td>
			<td >304000</td>
			<td ></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Incomplete Freund&#8217;s adjuvant (IFA)</td>
			<td >e.g. Santa Cruz Biotechnology</td>
			<td >sc-24648</td>
			<td >Store at 4&#176;C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Maintenance food</td>
			<td >e.g. PROVIMI KLIBA SA</td>
			<td >3436</td>
			<td ></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >MOGaa35-55 peptide</td>
			<td >e.g. GenScript</td>
			<td ></td>
			<td >Store at -80 &#176;C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >microscope slides (Superfrost Plus )</td>
			<td >Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td >J1800AMNZ</td>
			<td ></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37RA</td>
			<td >e.g. BD</td>
			<td >231141</td>
			<td >Store at 4 &#176;C&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >NaCl 0.9 %</td>
			<td >B. Braun</td>
			<td >3535789</td>
			<td ></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >O.C.T. compound (Tissue-Tek )</td>
			<td >Sakura</td>
			<td >4583</td>
			<td ></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Omnican 50 30G x &#189;&#8217;&#8217;</td>
			<td >B. Braun</td>
			<td >9151125S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td >Merck</td>
			<td >30525-89-4</td>
			<td ></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Pertussis toxin</td>
			<td >e.g. List biological laboratories, Inc.</td>
			<td >180</td>
			<td >Store at 4 &#176;C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >poly(vinyl alcohole) (Mowiol 4-88)</td>
			<td >Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td >81381</td>
			<td ></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Protease Inhibitor EDTA free (Roche)</td>
			<td >Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td >4693132001</td>
			<td >Store at 4 &#176;C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >repelling pen e.g. DAKO Pen</td>
			<td >e.g. DAKO</td>
			<td >S2002</td>
			<td ></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >sealing film e.g. Parafilm M</td>
			<td >e.g Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td >P7793</td>
			<td ></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Silica gel</td>
			<td >e.g. Carl Roth GmbH + Co. KG</td>
			<td >9351.1</td>
			<td ></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Stitch scissor</td>
			<td >F.S.T</td>
			<td >15012-12</td>
			<td ></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >syringe 1 ml</td>
			<td >e.g. PRIMO</td>
			<td >62.1002</td>
			<td ></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >syringe 10 ml</td>
			<td >e.g. CODAN Medical ApS</td>
			<td >2022-05</td>
			<td ></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >vaporizer system Univentor 400</td>
			<td >UNO.BV</td>
			<td ></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

visualizing impairment of the endothelial and glial barriers of the neurovascular unit during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in vivo

The neurovascular unit (NVU) is composed of microvascular endothelial cells forming the blood-brain barrier (BBB), an endothelial basement membrane with embedded pericytes, and the glia limitans composed by the parenchymal basement membrane and astrocytic end-feed embracing the abluminal aspect of central nervous system (CNS) microvessels. In addition to maintaining CNS homeostasis the NVU controls immune cell trafficking into the CNS. During immunosurveillance of the CNS low numbers of activated lymphocytes can cross the endothelial barrier without causing BBB dysfunction or clinical disease. In contrast, during neuroinflammation such as in multiple sclerosis or its animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) a large number of immune cells can cross the BBB and subsequently the glia limitans eventually reaching the CNS parenchyma leading to clinical disease. 
Immune cell migration into the CNS parenchyma is thus a two-step process that involves a sequential migration across the endothelial and glial barrier of the NVU employing distinct molecular mechanisms. If following their passage across the endothelial barrier, T cells encounter their cognate antigen on perivascular antigen-presenting cells their local reactivation will initiate subsequent mechanisms leading to the focal activation of gelatinases, which will enable the T cells to cross the glial barrier and enter the CNS parenchyma. Thus, assessing both, BBB permeability and MMP activity in spatial correlation to immune cell accumulation in the CNS during EAE allows to specify loss of integrity of the endothelial and glial barriers of the NVU. 
We here show how to induce EAE in C57BL/6 mice by active immunization and how to subsequently analyze BBB permeability in vivo using a combination of exogenous fluorescent tracers. We further show, how to visualize and localize gelatinase activity in EAE brains by in situ zymogaphy coupled to immunofluorescent stainings of BBB basement membranes and CD45+ invading immune cells.

Assessment of the clinical course of EAE in C57BL/6 mice should result in a disease curve as depicted in Figure 2A and changes in the mouse body weight as presented in Figure 2B. C57BL/6 mice immunized with MOGaa35-55 usually start to develop disease symptoms around day 10-12 after active immunization (Figure 1A). Typically, immunized mice show a transient drop of body weight the day after the injection of the emulsion and the first...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Visualizing Impairment of the Endothelial and Glial Barriers of the Neurovascular Unit during Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis In Vivo at JoVE.com

Visualizing Impairment of the Endothelial and Glial Barriers of the Neurovascular Unit during Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis In Vivo

Here, we present protocols to investigate impairment of the neurovascular unit during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in vivo. We specifically address how to determine blood-brain barrier permeability and gelatinase activity involved in leukocyte migration across the glia limitans.&#160;

The neurovascular unit (NVU) is composed of microvascular endothelial cells forming the blood-brain barrier (BBB), an endothelial basement membrane with ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Immunology and Infection

Preparation of Mouse Pituitary Immunogen for the Induction of Experimental Autoimmune Hypophysitis

Autoimmune hypophysitis is a chronic inflammation of the pituitary gland caused or accompanied by autoimmunity1.  It has traditionally been considered a ...

Induction of Experimental Autoimmune Hypophysitis in SJL Mice

Autoimmune hypophysitis can be reproduced experimentally by the injection of pituitary proteins mixed with an adjuvant into susceptible mice1. Mouse ...

Overcoming Unresponsiveness in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) Resistant Mouse Strains by Adoptive Transfer and Antigenic Challenge

Overcoming Unresponsiveness in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis EAE Resistant Mouse Strains by Adoptive Transfer and Antigenic Challenge

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) and has been used as an animal model for ...

Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG35-55) Induced Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) in C57BL/6 Mice

Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein MOG35-55 Induced Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis EAE in C57BL/6 Mice

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neuroinflammatory demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system with a strong neurodegenerative component. While ...

Induction of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in Mice and Evaluation of the Disease-dependent Distribution of Immune Cells in Various Tissues

Multiple sclerosis is presumed to be an inflammatory autoimmune disease, which is characterized by lesion formation in the central nervous system (CNS) ...

Determining Immune System Suppression versus CNS Protection for Pharmacological Interventions in Autoimmune Demyelination

A major hallmark of the autoimmune demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis (MS) is immune cell infiltration into the brain and spinal cord resulting in ...

Simple and Efficient Production and Purification of Mouse Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein for Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Studies

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS), thought to occur as a result of autoimmune responses ...

Visualizing the Effects of Sputum on Biofilm Development Using a Chambered Coverglass Model

Biofilms consist of groups of bacteria encased in a self-secreted matrix. They play an important role in industrial contamination as well as in the ...

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Lymphocyte Infiltration in Central Nervous System during Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) caused by the combination of environmental factors and susceptible ...

A Rapid, Simple, and Standardized Homogenization Method to Prepare Antigen/Adjuvant Emulsions for Inducing Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) shares similar immunological and clinical features with multiple sclerosis (MS), and is therefore widely ...