Fig. 1

Visual function deficits are sustained in B cell-dependent experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. A Motor symptoms were daily assessed using a 0–5 clinical scoring scale after the injection of bMOG or CFA only. B For visual function assessment, optomotor visual acuity was followed in the OptoDrum system allowing spatial frequency sensitivity evaluation in awake mice. C Visual acuity loss was correlated with the clinical scores, cumulative clinical scores and onset of EAE at 15 days. D Optic nerve demyelination was evaluated by staining myelin with FluoroMyelin in cryosections. Oligodendrocytes were identified with Olig2 transcription factor. E Densitometric measurement of FluoroMyelin staining showed significant loss of myelin associated with EAE (n = 7) compared with control mice (n = 6). F The number of Olig2⁺ cells was not different between EAE and CFA-treated optic nerves. G Neuronal survival was examined on retinal flatmounts stained for RBPMS, a specific marker for RGCs. H On days 18 (active disease phase) and 35 (chronic phase), the density of RBPMS⁺ RGCs did not differ between the three experimental groups. Scale bars: D = 200 µm (left lower corner), 100 µm (close-ups); G = 100 µm. Statistics: B = two-way ANOVA, Tukey post hoc test; E = unpaired t-test; *: P < 0.05, **: P < 0.01, ***: P < 0.001, ****: P < 0.0001. Green stars indicate statistical significance between EAE and CFA-treated mice. Blue stars indicate statistical significance between EAE and naive mice