Inflammation of the vomeronasal organ (VNO) was evaluated in the context of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The VNO was sampled in mice with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-induced EAE, and processed for paraffin embedding. The sections were immunohistochemically evaluated for various markers, including ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and olfactory marker protein (OMP). Inflammatory cell infiltration was detected in the connective tissues. Both Iba1-positive macrophages and MPO-positive neutrophils infiltrated the VNO of EAE, with increased secretion of mucus into the lumen. The intensity of the OMP-positive immunoreaction was decreased in the vomeronasal sensory epithelium of EAE-induced mice. We postulate that the inflammatory response of the VNO in EAE is associated with dysfunction of the accessory olfactory system.
Keywords: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis; Macrophages; Myeloperoxidase; Olfactory marker protein; Vomeronasal organ.