Acute particulate matter (PM10) exposure selectively triggers behavioral alterations in the presymptomatic Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the Central Nervous System, where neuroinflammation and autoimmune response against myelin lead to functional impairments, cognitive and psychiatric symptoms. Exposure to air pollution - in particular to peaks of particulate matter (PM) - has been associated with an increase of hospital admissions for MS onset and relapses and exacerbated neuroinflammation in MS patients. Here, in the MOG35-55-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of MS, we tested the hypothesis that exposure to PM10 might influence the disease course and severity in individuals with a predisposing background. Short-term PM10 exposures - occurring either before immunization or during the pre-symptomatic phase - did not modify disease manifestation in EAE mice, as assessed by clinical and neuropathological analyses. Yet, presymptomatic EAE - but not healthy - mice selectively showed increased disinhibited, risk-taking and novelty-seeking behaviors early after being exposed to PM10. These data show a selective vulnerability of immunologically primed mice toward the effects of PM10, occurring before the emergence of overt motor impairment and presenting as specific behavioral alterations.