Evolving models of multiple sclerosis: revisiting old questions with advanced technologies

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is the most widely used model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Although controversial, it has proven particularly useful in elucidation of inflammatory mechanisms underlying the disease. Over time, EAE has been continuously modified and refined. Investigations using a T cell-driven EAE variant in our laboratory have identified platelets as drivers of inflammation and of neuronal loss. A collaboration with the Reutens group at the CAI has resulted in the generation of a B cell-driven disease, which is more clinically relevant and will address the role of this subset of immune cells from early disease and of antibodies in the progressive stage, using advanced imaging technology. 

Presented by Dr Jacquie Orian.
Jacquie Orian was supported in her early career by early career fellowships from Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia (University of Melbourne) and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Imperial College, London). Since 2001, she has worked principally in the fields of myelin biology and multiple sclerosis, via the generation and characterization of genetically modified myelin mutants, generation of and comparative studies of variants of the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model and bioinformatic analysis of central nervous system-specific proteins. Currently, her laboratory is located at the La Trobe Institute of Molecular Science, where she heads the Neurodegeneration and Neurorepair Laboratory and the Histopathology core facility, with expertise in histopathology, quantitative confocal microscopy, electron microscopy, biochemical techniques, laser capture microdissection, HiSeq sequencing and synchrotron FTIR microscopy. Her expertise has been recognized by invitations to run workshops (Victoria University of Wellington) and neuroimmunology courses (Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil) and requests for grant review. She was recently invited to act as associate editor on a book project (Springer De.). Since 2010, Jacquie has been supported by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia and Novartis Pharmaceuticals and other charities. She also has had a strong participation in outreach activities and in 2012 joined the ‘Unibridges’ programme at La Trobe University, a federally funded initiative to attract students from low income backgrounds to tertiary education