Validation of a rabbit model of neuropathy inducedby immunization with gangliosides

COMÍN R,; MOYANO A L ,; ALANIZ M A ,; LARDONE R D ,; THEAUX R ,; NORES G A

Mar del Plata

Congreso; XLIII Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigaciones en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular (SAIB); 2007

The induction of neurological symptoms by immunization of rabbits with gangliosides has been a controversial topic for many years. Recently, Yuki el al. (Ann. Neurol. (2001) 49: 712) described an immunization protocol, including keyhole limpet hemocyanin in addition to gangliosides, that induced a neurological disease resembling human Guillain-Barré syndrome. We employed this protocol in our laboratory and succeeded in reproducing the disease. Five different experiments were performed in a total of 26 rabbits. Three groups were prepared: Group 1, immunized with GM1; Group 2, with commercial bovine brain ganglioside (BBG) and Group 3; with BBG prepared in our laboratory. Rabbits in groups 2 and 3 showed clinical signs more severe than those in group 1: disease onset appears early and most of the animals developed irreversible severe weakness of the four limbs. Rabbit serum samples were screened for immunoreactivity againstGM1and structurally related glycolipids by TLC-immunostaining. All rabbits immunized showed the same pattern: IgG reactivity against GM1, GA1 and GD1b. Sciatic nerve cross sections showed pathological changes in accordance with axonal damage. Despite minor variations in onset time and severity of the induced disease, the model proved to be reproducible.