Multiple sclerosis is considered a prototype inflammatory autoimmune disorder of the CNS.
Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced by myelin oligodendrocyte
glycoprotein is one of the best-characterized animal models of multiple sclerosis. Comprehensive
understanding of gene expression in EAE can help identify genes that are important
in drug response and pathogenesis. We applied a 2-DE-based proteomics approach to analyze
the protein expression pattern of the brain in healthy and EAE samples. Of more than 1000
protein spots we analyzed, 70 showed reproducible and significant changes in EAE compared
to controls. Of these, 42 protein spots could be identified using MALDI TOF-TOF-MS. They
included mitochondrial and structural proteins as well as proteins involved in ionic and
neurotransmitter release, blood barriers, apoptosis, and signal transduction. The possible role
of these proteins in the responses of mice to animal models of multiple sclerosis is discussed
