Balb/c mice infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis:a novel animal model of demyelinating optic neuritis
Objective Establishing an animal model of demyelinating optic neuritis (DON) to provide reference for the study of DON. Methods Balb/c mice were firstly infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis (A. cantonensis) larvae by oral gavage. Then,neurobehavioral and visual scores were used to evaluate the neurofunctional changes in mice. Visual action potential and electroretinogram were used to detect the changes of visual pathways in mice. Histopathological staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the morphological and functional changes of the retina and optic nerve myelin sheath in mice. RT-qPCR and Western Blotting were used to detect the changes of retinal ganglion cell marker Brn-3a and optic nerve myelin marker MBP. Results On the 21st day after infection with A. cantonensis,the body weight of Balb/c mice decreased significantly,and both neurobehavioral scores and visual scores were significantly reduced. At the same time,the visual action potential and electroretinogram test results showed that the visual path conduction function of the optic nerve and retina was damaged;additionally,HE staining,LFB staining,and transmission electron microscopy observed significant damage to retinal ganglion cells and optic nerve myelin;finally,RT-qPCR and Western Blotting results showed s in protein levels and mRNA levels of retinal ganglion cell marker Brn-3a and myelin oligodendrocyte marker MBP. Conclusions A. cantonensis infection in Balb/c mice can damage the retina and optic nerve,leading to demyelinating optic neuritis,which can be used as a new and ideal animal model of DON.
Demyelinating optic neuritisAngiostrongylus cantonensisBalb/c miceanimal model
万方数据
维普
