Résumé
Our objective was to develop a chronic model of EAN which could be used as a tool to test treatment strategies for CIDP. Lewis rats injected with S-palmitoylated P0(180–199) peptide developed a chronic, sometimes relapsing–remitting type of disease. Our model fulfills electrophysiological criteria of demyelination with axonal degeneration, confirmed by immunohistopathology. The late phase of the chronic disease was characterized by accumulation of IL-17+ cells and macrophages in sciatic nerves and by high serum IL-17 levels. In conclusion, we have developed a reliable and reproducible animal model resembling CIDP that can now be used for translational drug studies.
•Chronic or relapsing neuropathy induced with thiopalmitoylated P0 peptide•Electrophysiological criteria for demyelination with axonal loss•Macrophage and T-cell infiltrations in sciatic nerves•High serum level of IL-17 in the chronic phase•Relevant animal model for CIDP