Axonal degeneration is a major pathological feature of the central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis (MS). This axonal degeneration has major consequences, as functional axonal regeneration in the CNS is largely absent. Cumulative axonal degeneration is the likely cause of the majority of progressive MS-related disability, and therefore, the need for novel neuroprotective therapies for MS exists. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS pathology, also produces axonal injury. In particular, the optic nerve and spinal cord are key sites of neuroinflammation in mouse EAE. By utilizing this model, the short term and long term effects of the putative neuroprotective cytokine, leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), were investigated in the optic nerve and spinal cord utilising a number of outcome measures of axonal dysfunction. These included MRI measures of water diffusivity along (ADC ||) and across (ADC┴) the optic nerves, serum levels of phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain subunit (pNF-H) and histological morphometric measures. LIF treatment reduced EAE grade and pNF-H plasma levels, decreased ADC┴, but had no effect on ADC ||, axon counts or inflammatory infiltration. / In contrast, genetic deletion of LIF and its sister cytokine ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), not only increased EAE grade and pNF-H levels, but also decreased optic nerve ADC|| and optic nerve and spinal cord axon densities. After reviewing current literature, we hypothesize that the target cell for endogenously upregulated LIF in EAE may be the neuron or axon, whereas the target cell for exogenously administered therapeutic LIF may be another cell type, possibly infiltrating macrophages and activated microglial cells. LIF antagonist treatment did not have any affect on EAE grade, pNF-H levels or MRI parameters. This lack of effect may be due to the inability of the LIF antagonist to enter the CNS, supporting the hypothesis that endogenous LIF has a centrally acting mechanism.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-05-06T14:33:30Z No. of bitstreams: 1 rubensmurilogibailesoares.pdf: 2619186 bytes, checksum: a84a49cdc9fab5886335802ef1c22da4 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-06-07T16:00:23Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 rubensmurilogibailesoares.pdf: 2619186 bytes, checksum: a84a49cdc9fab5886335802ef1c22da4 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-07T16:00:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 rubensmurilogibailesoares.pdf: 2619186 bytes, checksum: a84a49cdc9fab5886335802ef1c22da4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-06-19 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / FAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / O modelo de Encefalomielite Autoimune Experimental (EAE) é o mais utilizado no estudo da neurite óptica. Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar a cinética da neurite óptica em modelo animal de EAE induzido por duas diferentes concentrações de Glicoproteína dos Oligodendrócitos da Mielina (MOG). Para a indução da EAE foram utilizadas fêmeas de camundongos da linhagem C57BL/6, divididas em dois grupos, um grupo induzido com 100 μg de MOG35-55 e um segundo grupo induzido com 300 μg de MOG35-55. Os animais foram diariamente avaliados por meio da análise do escore clínico entre os dias zero e 58 pós-imunização. Nos dias 7, 10, 14, 21 ou 58 pósimunização, os animais foram submetidos a eutanásia, e os nervos ópticos, dissecados em seu trajeto desde a parte posterior do globo ocular até o quiasma óptico. Posteriormente, foram avaliados os aspectos morfológico e imuno-histoquímico dos nervos ópticos. As alterações histopatológicas observadas em um ou em ambos os nervos ópticos consistiram de infiltrado celular inflamatório, tendo a neurite óptica gravidade diferente nos dois grupos estudados. A quimiocina CCL5 foi avaliada no dia 10 pós-imunização, primeiro dia em que foi detectado o infiltrado inflamatório. Os resultados sugerem que duas diferentes concentrações de MOG35-55 utilizadas na indução do modelo animal de EAE induzem duas diferentes formas de evolução da neurite óptica. / The model of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) is the most used model in the study of optic neuritis. This study aims to evaluate the kinetics of optic neuritis in the EAE animal model induced by two different concentrations of Oligodendrocytes Myelin Glycoprotein (MOG). For induction of EAE were used female mice of the C57BL/6 lineage, divided into two groups, one group induced with 100 μg of MOG35-55 and a second group induced with 300 μg of MOG35-55. The animals were evaluated daily by analysis of clinical score between zero and 58 days after immunization. On days 7, 10, 14, 21 or 58 post-immunization, the animals were euthanized. The optic nerves were dissected from the back of the eyeball to the optic chiasm; subsequently the morphological and immunohistochemical aspects of the optic nerves were evaluated. The histopathological changes observed in one or in both optic nerves consisted of inflammatory cell infiltrate. Optic neuritis had different levels of severity in the two groups. The chemokine CCL5 was evaluated on day 10 post-immunization, the first day when the inflammatory infiltrate was detected. The results suggest that two different concentrations of MOG35-55 used in the induction of EAE animal model induce two different forms of optic neuritis evolution.

Objetivos: avaliar as alterações morfofuncionais da retina de pacientes com esclerose múltipla (EM) e espectro da neuromielite óptica (ENMO), com ou sem histórico de neurite óptica (NO), por meio de eletrorretinografia de campo total e multifocal (ERGct / ERGmf) e a tomomografia de coerência óptica (TCO). Avaliar as correlações de tais achados entre si e com o potencial evocado visual (PEV), o campo visual (CV) e a sensibilidade ao contraste (SC). Métodos: Pacientes com EM (n = 30), ENMO (n = 30) e controles (n = 29) foram submetidos a avaliação oftalmológica completa incluindo CV, TCO, ERGct, ERGmf, PEV e medida da SC. Os olhos foram distribuídos em 5 grupos: EM com ou sem história de NO (EM + NO e EM - NO), ENMO com ou sem NO (ENMO + NO e ENMO - NO) e controles. Com a TCO foram medidas as espessuras das camadas de fibras nervosas da retina na região macular (CFNRm), camada de células ganglionares (CCG), camada plexiforme interna (CPI), camada nuclear interna (CNI), camada plexiforme externa (CPE), camada nuclear externa (CNE), complexo camada de fotorreceptores + epitélio pigmentário da retina(CFR+EPR) e da camada de fibras nervosas peripapilar (CFNRp). Dados das ondas a, b e potenciais oscilatórios (POs) do ERGct, medidas de amplitude e latência de N1 e P1 do ERGmf, ondas do PEV e medidas do desvio da normalidade do CV foram analisados. Os grupos foram comparados usando equações estimadas generalizadas. Correlações entre as medidas foram avaliadas. Resultados: Redução da sensibilidade do desvioda normalidade do CV, da SC e aumento da latência das ondas do PEV foram identificadas para ambos os grupos. Nos pacientes ENMO+NO apresentaram redução de amplitude ao PEV em relação aos controles, diferentemente aos demais grupos. As medidas de espessura da CCG e da CPI foram significativamente menores nos grupos de olhos dos pacientes em relação aos controles. A RNFLm foi menor em todos os grupos de olhos de pacientes, exceto o grupo ENMO-NO. Não foi observada diferença significativa entre os grupos de olhos estudados nas comparações referenetes às demais camadas da retina. Comparado aos controles, as amplitudes do POs foram maiores nos olhos de pacientes com ENMO, enquanto as latências de N1 e P1 do ERGmf foram menor nos olhos de pacientes com EM. Essas anormalidades foram fortemente correlacionadas com a espessura da camada retiniana intermediária e externa. Os achados do PEV, assim como do CV e SC, se correlacionaram fortemente com as camadas retinianas. Conclusões: as camadas retinianas internas se mostraram reduzidas à TCO tanto nos olhos de pacientes com EM quanto no naqueles com ENMO, mas os achados POs e ERGmf sugerem também envolvimento das outras camadas retinianas nessas afecções. O PEV apresentou alterações distintas para cada doença. O uso combinado da TCO, do ERG e PEV podem ajudar a entender como as duas condições diferem em relação aos danos retinianos / Objectives: To evaluate the morphofunctional alterations of the retina of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and spectrum of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), with or without a history of optic neuritis (ON), using full field electroretinogram (ERG) and multifocal electroretinography (mf- ERG) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). To evaluate the correlations of such findings among themselves and with visual evoked potential (VEP), visual field (VF) and contrast sensitivity (CS). Methods: Patients with MS (n = 30), NMOSD (n = 30) and healthy controls (n = 29) were submitted to a complete ophthalmologic evaluation including VF, OCT, ERG, mf-ERG, VEP and SC measurement. The eyes were distributed in 5 groups: MS with or without history of ON (MS + ON and MS - ON), NMOSD with or without ON (NMOSD + ON and NMOSD - ON) and controls. With the OCT were measured the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layers in the macular region (mRNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), inner nuclear layer (INL), outer plexiform layer (OPL), outer nuclear layer (ONL), photoreceptor layer (PHOT) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL). The data of the a- and b-waves and oscillatory potentials (OPs) of the ERG, amplitude and peak time of N1 and P1 of mf-ERG, waves of the VEP and VF deviation were analyzed. The groups were compared using generalized estimating equations. Correlations between measurements were evaluated. Results: Reduction of the oVF deviation, CS and increased VEP wave\'s peak times were identified for both groups. In the NMOSD + ON patients, an amplitude redeuction was found in the VEP in relation to the controls, unlike the other groups. The thickness of GCL and IPL was significantly lower in patients\' eyes than controls. mRNFL was lower in all patients, but NMOSD-ON. No significant difference was observed for the remaining layers. Compared to controls, the amplitudes of the POs were higher in the NMOSD group, whereas the mf-ERG\'s N1 and P1 peak time was lower in the MS patients. These abnormalities were strongly correlated with the thickness of the intermediate and outer retinal layers. The findings of the VEP, as well as the VF and SC, correlated strongly with the retinal layers. Conclusions: the inner retinal layers were reduced in both the MS and the NMOSD, but the findings OPs and mf-ERG suggest involvement of the other retinal layers. The VEP presented different alterations for each disease. The combination of OCT, ERG and VEP may help to understand how the two conditions differ in relation to retinal damage

Introdução: A doença associada ao anticorpo MOG-IgG tem sido reconhecida como uma entidade clínica distinta de neuromielite óptica (NMO) e esclerose múltipla (EM). As principais apresentações clínicas associadas ao MOG-IgG são neurite óptica (NO), mielite e encefalite. Apesar das crescentes evidências na literatura, o papel da análise longitudinal de MOG-IgG ainda não é conhecido. Os objetivos deste estudo foram 1) descrever os aspectos clínicos, laboratoriais e imagenológicos dos pacientes MOG-IgG positivo; 2) estudar as diferenças clínicas e laboratoriais entre os pacientes MOG-IgG com curso monofásico e recorrente; 3) analisar a existência de fatores preditores de recorrência de surtos; 4) investigar se a persistência de MOG-IgG determina doença recorrente; 5) comparar as características clínicas e laboratoriais de pacientes MOG-IgG com pacientes NMOSD AQP4-IgG positivo e negativo. Casuística e métodos: após avaliação de elegibilidade de 574 sujeitos, foram incluídos 31 pacientes MOG-IgG positivos. Estes pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos segundo o padrão de surto, monofásico ou recorrente. Os pacientes foram acompanhados por dois anos em consulta clínica semestral e coleta anual de amostra de sangue para avaliação de MOG-IgG e AQP4-IgG. Resultados: neurite óptica (NO) foi frequente em ambos os grupos sem diferença significativa. Mielite foi encontrada em maior proporção nos pacientes recorrentes, porém sem significância estatística. NO acarretou maior risco para novos surtos, RC= 3,66 (IC 95 % 1,03- 29,91) (p 0,048). Após um primeiro surto de NO, existe uma probabilidade de 75% de que o segundo surto seja também NO. A mesma análise foi realizada para pacientes com mielite no primeiro surto, com uma probabilidade de 80% de mielite no segundo surto. A mediana de EDSS foi maior no grupo de pacientes recorrentes, sendo a diferença significativa entre o grupo recorrente e monofásico (p 0,013). A doença associada ao MOG-IgG possui bom prognóstico com melhora significante de EDSS e acuidade visual (AV) no desfecho quando comparados aos do evento inicial. O desfecho de AV não se correlacionou diretamente com número de episódios de NO. O tratamento imunossupressor profilático reduziu de forma significativa a ocorrência de surtos (p < 0,001). Na análise longitudinal de sorologias de MOG-IgG, a permanência de MOG-IgG esteve associada à atividade clínica de doença e o tratamento imunossupressor reduziu de forma significativa a taxa de amostras positivas. Altos títulos de MOG-IgG tiveram correlação com maior número de surtos de neurite óptica. As sorologias de pacientes com curso monofásico se tornaram negativas ao longo do seguimento clínico, e pacientes recorrentes em remissão clínica também apresentaram menor proporção de amostras positivas / Introduction: The MOG-IgG-associated disease has been recently recognized as different from multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. The main phenotypes associated with MOG-IgG are optic neuritis, myelitis and encephalitis. Although there is a growing body of evidence in the literature, the role of longitudinal MOG-IgG analysis is still unknown. The objectives of this study were: 1) to describe clinical and laboratorial aspects of MOG-IgG positive patients; 2) to study the differences between monophasic and relapsing group in clinical and laboratorial aspects; 3) to analyze predictors factors associated with risk of recurrence; 4) to investigate if the persistence of MOG-IgG is associated with risk of relapses; 5) to compare clinical and laboratorial aspects of MOG-IgG patients with NMOSD AQP4-IgG positive and negative patients. Methods: After assessment of eligibility in 574 subjects, 31 patients have been included. These patients have been divided in two groups, according to the course of the disease, if monophasic or relapsing. They have been followed for two years. During this period, annual blood samples have been collected to detect MOG-IgG and AQP4-IgG. Results: optic neuritis (ON) phenotype was frequent in both, monophasic and relapsing group; there were no statistically significant differences between them. Myelitis predominates in the relapsing group, with no significance though. The risk of recurrence is increased by having ON OR 3,66 (CI 95 % 1,03- 29,91) (p 0,048). In a logistic regression analysis, when the patient had ON in the first attack, we found a 75 % probability of having ON in the second attack. When analyzing myelitis, the risk of having a second myelitis as a phenotype was 80%. There were significant differences in EDSS scores between monophasic and relapsing patients (p 0,013). Good outcomes have been found when evaluating EDSS scores and visual acuity at the last visit. Immunossupressor treatment has significantly reduced the number of relapses (p < 0,001). When analyzing longitudinal MOG-IgG samples, relapses have been associated with positive serostatus and the immunosuppressor treatment has significantly reduced the proportion of MOG-IgG positivity. High MOG-IgG titers have been associated with higher proportion of optic neuritis relapses. Monophasic patients became MOG-IgG negative during follow-up, as well as relapsing patients on clinical remission

Nichtglaukomatöse Optikusatrophien führen nicht nur zu einer Verminderung der Dicke der retinalen Nervenfaserschicht (RNFL) sondern auch zu einer Reduktion des Makulavolumens. In dieser Arbeit wurde mit Hilfe der optischen Kohärenztomographie (OCT) untersucht, welche Schichten der Makula von Dickenveränderungen als Folge einer Optikusatrophie betroffen sind. Es wurden 27 Patienten mit nichtglaukomatösen Optikusatrophien unterschiedlicher Ätiologie (postneuritische, hereditäre und traumatische Atrophien) und 21 augengesunde Kontrollpersonen untersucht. OCT-Scans der RNFL und der Makula wurden mit Hilfe des Stratus OCT 3000 (Carl Zeiss Meditec) durchgeführt. Die axialen Reflektivitätsprofile der radialen Scans wurden aus den exportierten JPEG-Bildern an zwölf Punkten in je 1,5mm Entfernung von der Foveola vermessen und gemittelt. Das charakteristische Reflektivitätsprofil mit fünf Intensitätsmaxima und vier Intensitätsminima wurde der Lokalisation der einzelnen Makulaschichten zugeordnet. Die von nichtglaukomatöser Optikusatrophie betroffenen Augen wiesen im Vergleich zu den Augen der augengesunden Normalpersonen signifikant (p<0,05) reduzierte RNFL-Dicken (um 35,5% reduziert) und Makulavolumen-Werte (um 11,8% reduziert) auf. Bei allen untersuchten Formen der Optikusatrophie waren nicht nur die makuläre Nervenfaserschicht (MNFL) sondern alle inneren Schichten der Makula verdünnt. Die mittlere Reduktion betrug 21,2% für die MNFL, 39,7% für die Ganglienzellschicht, 33,2% für die innere plexiforme Schicht und 9,4% für die innere Körnerzellschicht im Vergleich zu den Werten der Normalpersonen. Veränderungen der äußeren Netzhautschichten traten nur bei den posttraumatischen Atrophien auf. Eine Beurteilung der Dicke aller einzelnen Netzhautschichten aus OCT-Scans ist mit Hilfe geräteintegrierter Software bisher noch nicht möglich. Die quantitative Analyse der axialen Reflektivitätsprofile aus exportierten OCT-Bildern stellt eine geeignete Methode zur Beschreibung des Verlaufs und der Lokalisation von Makulaveränderungen bei Optikusatrophien verschiedener Genese dar.

La sclérose en plaques est une maladie dégénérative qui peut affecter la vision ainsi que différentes structures du système visuel afférent. La partie de l'oeil plus souvent affectée par la sclérose en plaques est le nerf optique, sous forme de névrite optique. Une technologie, nommée TCO (tomographie par cohérence optique), permet de prendre une image du nerf optique et de ses fibres nerveuses qui s'étendent sur la rétine. Dans cette thèse, la TCO a permis d’obtenir une épaisseur des fibres nerveuses autour du nerf optique, ainsi qu’une épaisseur totale de la macula et de la couche de cellules ganglionnaires chez les patients atteints de sclérose en plaques, avec et sans histoire de nérite optique, et chez un groupe de patients contrôle. Les résultats démontrent que seule l’épaisseur de la couche de cellules ganglionnaires permet de différentier les patients avec sclérose en plaques sans histoire de névrite optique des patients contrôle. Une deuxième étude a évalué la qualité visuelle en mesurant la sensibilité aux contrastes ainsi que la qualité de vie reliée à la vision avec un questionnaire de qualité de vie. Les résultats démontrent qu’une nouvelle charte de sensibilité aux contrastes, plus facile à administrer en clinique, permet aussi de différentier les patients sans névrite optique du groupe contrôle. De plus, la qualité de vie des patients ayant eu un épisode de névrite optique semble significativement affectée, même si le pronostic est considéré très favorable et que l’acuité visuelle est « bonne » suite à une névrite optique. En conclusion, l’utilisation de l’OCT en plus de mesures sensibles de fonction visuelle, telle la sensibilité aux contrastes, et de qualité de vié peuvent contribuer à mieux détecter des dysfonctions oculo-visuelles subtiles, mais importantes chez les patients atteints de sclérose en plaques. / Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common neurological condition causing disability in working-age adults. The hallmark of MS related disability is axonal loss. Through new technologies, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), composed of ganglion cell axons, can be visualized and studied non-invasively in cross-section. Furthermore, recent OCT advances allow precise retinal layer segmentation and macular imaging of the ganglion cell layer. In this thesis, these different OCT parameters were measured to see which layers would be most affected in MS patients without previous optic neuritis. Results show that macular ganglion cell layer thickness is the only OCT parameter that can differentiate this sub-group of patients from healthy controls. Visual function was then assessed using a newly available, easy to use contrast sensitivity chart that can be self-administered by patients. Results show that this chart is also capable of differentiating MS patients without optic neuritis from controls, but usually gives better contrast sensitivity scores than the Mars chart. Lastly, vision-specific quality of life was assessed and proved to be reduced in MS patients with prior optic neuritis, despite supposed favorable recovery and good visual acuity in patients with this diagnosis. In sum, the use of OCT imaging, as well as sensitive visual function and quality of life measures, could help detect subtle, yet important structural or functional visual changes in patients with MS. This could ultimately help better screen, manage and counsel this subset of patients.