A novel system to accelerate the progression of nerve degeneration in transgenic mouse models of neuropathies

Axon degeneration is a common hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases. There is now an abundance of spontaneous and genetically engineered mice available to study the mechanisms of axonal degeneration and to screen for axonal protective agents. However, many of these mouse models exhibit slow progressive axonal loss which can span over many months. Consequently, there is a pressing need to accelerate the pace of axonal loss over a short interval for high-throughput screening of pharmacological and genetic therapies. Here, we present a novel technique using acrylamide, an axonal neurotoxin, to provoke rapid axonal degeneration in murine models of neuropathies. The progressive axonal loss which typically occurs over 8 months was reproduced within 7 to 10 days of the acrylamide intoxication. This approach was successfully applied to Myelin Associated Glycoprotein knockout (MAG−/−) mouse and Trembler-J mouse, a popular murine model of Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 1 (CMT-1). Acrylamide intoxication in transgenic mouse models offers a novel experimental approach to accelerate the rate of axonal loss over short intervals for timely in vivo studies of nerve degeneration. This report also provides for the first time an animal model for medication or toxin‐induced exacerbation of pre-existing neuropathies, a phenomenon widely reported in patients with neuropathies.

► Acrylamide accelerates the rate of axonal loss in mice with neuropathy. ► Existing neuropathy in transgenic mice enhances the susceptibility to acrylamide. ► Progressive axonal loss due to aging was reproduced with acrylamide intoxication. ► An animal model for medication induced exacerbation of pre-existing neuropathies. ► An animal model for high-throughput screening of pharmacological therapies.