The extent of axonal pathology peaks six months after the onset of EAE in MP4-immunized B6 mice.

Ultra-thin spinal cord sections were obtained and images were taken from the center of the lesional area in the VLT. The numbers and percentages of axons showing mitochondrial swelling (A, B), a decreased NNND (F, G) or complete axolysis (K, L) were evaluated. Values obtained from non-immunized control mice were subtracted from the absolute number. The means ± SD are demonstrated for a total of n = 7 mice with acute, n = 5 mice with chronic and n = 10 mice with long-term EAE. Representative images obtained in each disease stage are providing examples of mitochondrial swelling (C-E), a decrease in the NNND (H-J) and axolysis (M-O). *p ≤ 0.05; **p ≤ 0.01; ***p ≤ 0.001. Scale bars depict 10 μm.