IFN-γ is reciprocally involved in the concurrent development of organ-specific autoimmunity in the liver and stomach

Interferon (IFN)-γ acts as a critical proinflammatory mediator in autoimmune processes, whereas it exerts regulatory functions to limit tissue damage associated with inflammation. However, a detailed understanding of the complex roles of IFN-γ in the development of organ-specific autoimmunity is still lacking. Recently, we found that programmed cell death 1-deficient mice thymectomized 3 days after birth (NTx-PD-1(-/-) mice) concurrently developed autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and autoimmune gastritis (AIG). In this study, we investigated the roles of IFN-γ in the development of AIH and AIG in this mouse model. In NTx-PD-1(-/-) mice, serum levels of IFN-γ were markedly elevated. Neutralization of IFN-γ prevented the development of AIG. However, the same treatment exacerbated hepatic T-cell infiltration in AIH. Because of the loss of anti-proliferative effects by IFN-γ, neutralization of IFN-γ increased T-cell proliferation in the spleen and liver, resulting in exacerbated T-cell infiltration in the liver. On the other hand, in the development of AIG, CD4+ T-cell migration into the gastric mucosa is essential for induction. CCL20 expression was up-regulated in the gastric mucosa, and anti-CCL20 suppressed CD4+ T-cell infiltration into the gastric mucosa. Importantly, anti-IFN-γ suppressed CCL20 expression and infiltration of CD4+ T cells in the gastric mucosa, whereas in vivo injection of recombinant IFN-γ up-regulated CCL20 expression in the stomach, suggesting that IFN-γ is critically involved in CD4+ T-cell accumulation in AIG by up-regulating local CCL20 expression. In conclusion, IFN-γ is involved differently in the development of AIH and of AIG. IFN-γ negatively regulates T-cell proliferation in fatal AIH, whereas it initiates development of AIG. These findings imply that increased production of IFN-γ induced by an organ-specific autoimmunity may trigger the concurrent development of another organ-specific autoimmune disease.     

IFN-γ is reciprocally involved in the concurrent development of organ-specific autoimmunity in the liver and stomach

Interferon (IFN)-γ acts as a critical proinflammatory mediator in autoimmune processes, whereas it exerts regulatory functions to limit tissue damage associated with inflammation. However, a detailed understanding of the complex roles of IFN-γ in the development of organ-specific autoimmunity is still lacking. Recently, we found that programmed cell death 1-deficient mice thymectomized 3 days after birth (NTx–PD-1^{? / ?} mice) concurrently developed autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and autoimmune gastritis (AIG). In this study, we investigated the roles of IFN-γ in the development of AIH and AIG in this mouse model. In NTx–PD-1^{? / ?} mice, serum levels of IFN-γ were markedly elevated. Neutralization of IFN-γ prevented the development of AIG. However, the same treatment exacerbated hepatic T-cell infiltration in AIH. Because of the loss of anti-proliferative effects by IFN-γ, neutralization of IFN-γ increased T-cell proliferation in the spleen and liver, resulting in exacerbated T-cell infiltration in the liver. On the other hand, in the development of AIG, CD4⁺ T-cell migration into the gastric mucosa is essential for induction. CCL20 expression was up-regulated in the gastric mucosa, and anti-CCL20 suppressed CD4⁺ T-cell infiltration into the gastric mucosa. Importantly, anti-IFN-γ suppressed CCL20 expression and infiltration of CD4⁺ T cells in the gastric mucosa, whereas in vivo injection of recombinant IFN-γ up-regulated CCL20 expression in the stomach, suggesting that IFN-γ is critically involved in CD4⁺ T-cell accumulation in AIG by up-regulating local CCL20 expression. In conclusion, IFN-γ is involved differently in the development of AIH and of AIG. IFN-γ negatively regulates T-cell proliferation in fatal AIH, whereas it initiates development of AIG. These findings imply that increased production of IFN-γ induced by an organ-specific autoimmunity may trigger the concurrent development of another organ-specific autoimmune disease.     

Infection with Mycobacterium bovis BCG diverts traffic of myelin oligodendroglial glycoprotein autoantigen-specific T cells away from the central nervous system and ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Infectious agents have been proposed to influence susceptibility to autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis. We induced a Th1-mediated central nervous system (CNS) autoimmune disease, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice with an ongoing infection with Mycobacterium bovis strain bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) to study this possibility. C57BL/6 mice infected with live BCG for 6 weeks were immunized with myelin oligodendroglial glycoprotein peptide (MOG(35-55)) to induce EAE. The clinical severity of EAE was reduced in BCG-infected mice in a BCG dose-dependent manner. Inflammatory-cell infiltration and demyelination of the spinal cord were significantly lessened in BCG-infected animals compared with uninfected EAE controls. ELISPOT and gamma interferon intracellular cytokine analysis of the frequency of antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells in the CNS and in BCG-induced granulomas and adoptive transfer of MOG(35-55)-specific green fluorescent protein-expressing cells into BCG-infected animals indicated that nervous tissue-specific (MOG(35-55)) CD4(+) T cells accumulate in the BCG-induced granuloma sites. These data suggest a novel mechanism for infection-mediated modulation of autoimmunity. We demonstrate that redirected trafficking of activated CNS antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells to local inflammatory sites induced by BCG infection modulates the initiation and progression of a Th1-mediated CNS autoimmune disease.     

Distinct and nonredundant in vivo functions of IFNAR on myeloid cells limit autoimmunity in the central nervous system

The action of type I interferons in the central nervous system (CNS) during autoimmunity is largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate elevated interferon beta concentrations in the CNS, but not blood, of mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model for CNS autoimmunity. Furthermore, mice devoid of the broadly expressed type I IFN receptor (IFNAR) developed exacerbated clinical disease accompanied by a markedly higher inflammation, demyelination, and lethality without shifting the T helper 17 (Th17) or Th1 cell immune response. Whereas adoptive transfer of encephalitogenic T cells led to enhanced disease in Ifnar1(-/-) mice, newly created conditional mice with B or T lymphocyte-specific IFNAR ablation showed normal EAE. The engagement of IFNAR on neuroectodermal CNS cells had no protective effect. In contrast, absence of IFNAR on myeloid cells led to severe disease with an enhanced effector phase and increased lethality, indicating a distinct protective function of type I IFNs during autoimmune inflammation of the CNS.     

A T cell receptor transgenic model of severe, spontaneous organ-specific autoimmunity.

The development of mouse models of human organ-specific autoimmune diseases has been hampered by the need to immunize mice with autoantigens in potent adjuvants. Even autoantigen-specific T cell receptor transgenic models of autoimmunity have proven to be complex as the transgenic mice frequently fail to develop disease spontaneously. We have isolated a CD4(+) T cell clone (TxA23)that recognizes the gastric parietal cell antigen, H/K ATPase alpha-chain(630-641), from a mouse with autoimmune gastritis that developed after thymectomy on day 3 of life. The T cell receptor alpha and beta genes from this clone were used to generate A23 transgenic mice. All A23 transgenic animals spontaneously developed severe autoimmune gastritis, and evidence of disease was detected as early as day 10 of life. Gastritis could be transferred to immunocompromised mice with a limited number of transgenic thymocytes (10(3)), but as many as 10(7) induced only mild disease in wild-type animals. Due to the complete penetrance of spontaneous disease, identity of the auto-antigen, susceptibility to immunoregulation, and close relation to autoimmune gastritis in man, A23 transgenic mice represent a unique CD4(+) T cell-mediated disease model for understanding the multiple factors regulating organ-specific autoimmunity.     

Endogenous estrogens, through estrogen receptor α, constrain autoimmune inflammation in female mice by limiting CD4+ T-cell homing into the CNS

Sex hormones influence immune responses and the development of autoimmune diseases including MS and its animal model, EAE. Although it has been previously reported that ovariectomy could worsen EAE, the mechanisms implicated in the protective action of endogenous ovarian hormones have not been addressed. In this report, we now show that endogenous estrogens limit EAE development and CNS inflammation in adult female mice through estrogen receptor α expression in the host non-hematopoietic tissues. We provide evidence that the enhancing effect of gonadectomy on EAE development was due to quantitative rather than qualitative changes in effector Th1 or Th17 cell recruitment into the CNS. Consistent with this observation, adoptive transfer of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-specific encephalitogenic CD4(+) T lymphocytes induced more severe EAE in ovariectomized mice as compared to normal female mice. Finally, we show that gonadectomy accelerated the early recruitment of inflammatory cells into the CNS upon adoptive transfer of encephalitogenic CD4(+) T cells. Altogether, these data show that endogenous estrogens, through estrogen receptor α, exert a protective effect on EAE by limiting the recruitment of blood-derived inflammatory cells into the CNS.     

Galectin‐1 is essential for the induction of MOG35–55‐based intravenous tolerance in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

In experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), intravenous (i.v.) injection of the antigen, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein‐derived peptide, MOG_35–55, suppresses disease development, a phenomenon called i.v. tolerance. Galectin‐1, an endogenous glycan‐binding protein, is upregulated during autoimmune neuroinflammation and plays immunoregulatory roles by inducing tolerogenic dendritic cells (DCs) and IL‐10 producing regulatory type 1 T (Tr1) cells. To examine the role of galectin‐1 in i.v. tolerance, we administered MOG_35–55‐i.v. to wild‐type (WT) and galectin‐1 deficient (Lgals1^?/?) mice with ongoing EAE. MOG_35–55 suppressed disease in the WT, but not in the Lgals1^?/? mice. The numbers of Tr1 cells and Treg cells were increased in the CNS and periphery of tolerized WT mice. In contrast, Lgals1^?/? MOG‐i.v. mice had reduced numbers of Tr1 cells and Treg cells in the CNS and periphery, and reduced IL‐27, IL‐10, and TGF‐β1 expression in DCs in the periphery. DCs derived from i.v.‐tolerized WT mice suppressed disease when adoptively transferred into mice with ongoing EAE, whereas DCs from Lgals1^?/? MOG‐i.v. mice were not suppressive. These findings demonstrate that galectin‐1 is required for i.v. tolerance induction, likely via induction of tolerogenic DCs leading to enhanced development of Tr1 cells, Treg cells, and downregulation of proinflammatory responses.     

Limited sufficiency of antigen presentation by dendritic cells in models of central nervous system autoimmunity

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model for the human disease multiple sclerosis (MS), is dependent upon the activation and effector functions of autoreactive CD4 T cells. Multiple interactions between CD4 T cells and major histocompatibility class II (MHCII)+ antigen presenting cells (APCs) must occur in both the periphery and central nervous system (CNS) to elicit autoimmunity. The identity of the MHCII+ APCs involved throughout this process remains in question. We investigated which APC in the periphery and CNS mediates disease using transgenic mice with MHCII expression restricted to dendritic cells (DCs). MHCII expression restricted to DCs results in normal susceptibility to peptide-mediated EAE. Indeed, radiation-sensitive bone marrow-derived DCs were sufficient for all APC functions during peptide-induced disease. However, DCs alone were inefficient at promoting disease after immunization with the myelin protein myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), even in the presence of MHCII-deficient B cells. Consistent with a defect in disease induction following protein immunization, antigen presentation by DCs alone was incapable of mediating spontaneous optic neuritis. These results indicate that DCs are capable of perpetuating CNS-targeted autoimmunity when antigens are readily available, but other APCs are required to efficiently initiate pathogenic cognate CD4 T cell responses.     

Infection with Mycobacterium bovis BCG Diverts Traffic of Myelin Oligodendroglial Glycoprotein Autoantigen-Specific T Cells Away from the Central Nervous System and Ameliorates Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Infectious agents have been proposed to influence susceptibility to autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis. We induced a Th1-mediated central nervous system (CNS) autoimmune disease, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice with an ongoing infection with Mycobacterium bovis strain bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) to study this possibility. C57BL/6 mice infected with live BCG for 6 weeks were immunized with myelin oligodendroglial glycoprotein peptide (MOG_35-55) to induce EAE. The clinical severity of EAE was reduced in BCG-infected mice in a BCG dose-dependent manner. Inflammatory-cell infiltration and demyelination of the spinal cord were significantly lessened in BCG-infected animals compared with uninfected EAE controls. ELISPOT and gamma interferon intracellular cytokine analysis of the frequency of antigen-specific CD4⁺ T cells in the CNS and in BCG-induced granulomas and adoptive transfer of MOG_35-55-specific green fluorescent protein-expressing cells into BCG-infected animals indicated that nervous tissue-specific (MOG_35-55) CD4⁺ T cells accumulate in the BCG-induced granuloma sites. These data suggest a novel mechanism for infection-mediated modulation of autoimmunity. We demonstrate that redirected trafficking of activated CNS antigen-specific CD4⁺ T cells to local inflammatory sites induced by BCG infection modulates the initiation and progression of a Th1-mediated CNS autoimmune disease.     

CX3CR1‐dependent recruitment of mature NK cells into the central nervous system contributes to control autoimmune neuroinflammation

Fractalkine receptor (CX3CR1)‐deficient mice develop very severe experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), associated with impaired NK cell recruitment into the CNS. Yet, the precise implications of NK cells in autoimmune neuroinflammation remain elusive. Here, we investigated the pattern of NK cell mobilization and the contribution of CX3CR1 to NK cell dynamics in the EAE. We show that in both wild‐type and CX3CR1‐deficient EAE mice, NK cells are mobilized from the periphery and accumulate in the inflamed CNS. However, in CX3CR1‐deficient mice, the infiltrated NK cells displayed an immature phenotype contrasting with the mature infiltrates in WT mice. This shift in the immature/mature CNS ratio contributes to EAE exacerbation in CX3CR1‐deficient mice, since transfer of mature WT NK cells prior to immunization exerted a protective effect and normalized the CNS NK cell ratio. Moreover, mature CD11b⁺ NK cells show higher degranulation in the presence of autoreactive 2D2 transgenic CD4⁺ T cells and kill these autoreactive cells more efficiently than the immature CD11b^? fraction. Together, these data suggest a protective role of mature NK cells in EAE, possibly through direct modulation of T cells inside the CNS, and demonstrate that mature and immature NK cells are recruited into the CNS by distinct chemotactic signals.     

Synchronous synthesis of alpha- and beta-chemokines by cells of diverse lineage in the central nervous system of mice with relapses of chronic experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Chemokines are secreted peptides that exhibit selective chemoattractant properties for target leukocytes. Two subfamilies, alpha- and beta-chemokines, have been described, based on structural, genetic, and functional considerations. In acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), chemokines are up-regulated systemically and in central nervous system (CNS) tissues at disease onset. Functional significance of this expression was supported by other studies; intervention with an antichemokine antibody abrogated passive transfer of EAE, and chemokines expressed in brains of transgenic mice recruited appropriate leukocyte populations into the CNS compartment. Chemokine expression in the more relevant circumstance of chronic EAE has not been addressed. We monitored the time course and cellular sources of chemokines (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha, interferon-gamma-inducible protein of 10 kd, KC, and regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted cytokine) in CNS and peripheral tissues during spontaneous relapses of chronic EAE. We found coordinate chemokine up-regulation in brain and spinal cord during clinical relapse, with expression confined to CNS tissues. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, interferon-gamma-inducible protein of 10 kd, and KC were synthesized by astrocytic cells, whereas macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha and regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted cytokine were elaborated by infiltrating leukocytes. The results demonstrate stringent regulation of multiple chemokines in vivo during a complex organ-specific autoimmune disease. We propose that chemokine expression links T-cell antigen recognition and activation to subsequent CNS inflammatory pathology in chronic relapsing EAE.     

IL-10 is involved in the suppression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by CD25+CD4+ regulatory T cells

CD25(+)CD4(+) regulatory T cells inhibit the activation of autoreactive T cells in vitro and in vivo, and suppress organ-specific autoimmune diseases. The mechanism of CD25(+)CD4(+) T cells in the regulation of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is poorly understood. To assess the role of CD25(+)CD4(+) T cells in EAE, SJL mice were immunized with myelin proteolipid protein (PLP)(139-151) to develop EAE and were treated with anti-CD25 mAb. Treatment with anti-CD25 antibody following immunization resulted in a significant enhancement of EAE disease severity and mortality. There was increased inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS) of anti-CD25 mAb-treated mice. Anti-CD25 antibody treatment caused a decrease in the percentage of CD25(+)CD4(+) T cells in blood, peripheral lymph node (LN) and spleen associated with increased production of IFN-gamma and a decrease in IL-10 production by LN cells stimulated with PLP(130-151) in vitro. In addition, transfer of CD25(+)CD4(+) regulatory T cells from naive SJL mice decreased the severity of active EAE. In vitro, anti-CD3-stimulated CD25(+)CD4(+) T cells from naive SJL mice secreted IL-10 and IL-10 soluble receptor (sR) partially reversed the in vitro suppressive activity of CD25(+)CD4(+) T cells. CD25(+)CD4(+) T cells from IL-10-deficient mice were unable to suppress active EAE. These findings demonstrate that CD25(+)CD4(+) T cells suppress pathogenic autoreactive T cells in actively induced EAE and suggest they may play an important natural regulatory function in controlling CNS autoimmune disease through a mechanism that involves IL-10.     

Compromised central tolerance of ICA69 induces multiple organ autoimmunity

For reasons not fully understood, patients with an organ-specific autoimmune disease have increased risks of developing autoimmune responses against other organs/tissues. We identified ICA69, a known β-cell autoantigen in Type 1 diabetes, as a potential common target in multi-organ autoimmunity. NOD mice immunized with ICA69 polypeptides exhibited exacerbated inflammation not only in the islets, but also in the salivary glands. To further investigate ICA69 autoimmunity, two genetically modified mouse lines were generated to modulate thymic ICA69 expression: the heterozygous ICA69^del/wt line and the thymic medullary epithelial cell-specific deletion Aire-ΔICA69 line. Suboptimal central negative selection of ICA69-reactive T-cells was observed in both lines. Aire-ΔICA69 mice spontaneously developed coincident autoimmune responses to the pancreas, the salivary glands, the thyroid, and the stomach. Our findings establish a direct link between compromised thymic ICA69 expression and autoimmunity against multiple ICA69-expressing organs, and identify a potential novel mechanism for the development of multi-organ autoimmune diseases.     

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice expressing the autoantigen MBP 1-10 covalently bound to the MHC class II molecule I-Au

Most autoantigens implicated in multiple sclerosis (MS) are expressed not only in the central nervous system (CNS) but also in the thymus and the periphery. Nevertheless, these autoantigens might induce a strong autoimmune response leading to severe destruction within the CNS. To investigate the influence of a dominantly presented autoantigen on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), we generated transgenic mice expressing the autoantigenic peptide MBP 1-10 covalently bound to the MHC class II molecule I-Au. These mice were crossed either with B10.PL or with TCR-transgenic Tg4 mice, specific for the transgenic peptide-MHC combination. In double transgenic mice we found strong thymic deletion and residual peripheral T cells were refractory to antigen stimulation in vitro. Residual peripheral CD4+ T cells expressed activation markers and a high proportion was CD25 positive. Transfer of both CD25-negative and CD25-positive CD4+ T cells from double transgenic animals into B10.PL mice strongly inhibited the progression of EAE. Despite this thorough tolerance induction, some double transgenic mice developed severe signs of EAE after an extended period of time. Our data show that in the circumstances where autoantigenic priming persists, and where the number of antigen-specific T cells is high enough, autoimmunity may prevail over very potent tolerance-inducing mechanisms.     

Sialomucin CD43 regulates T helper type 17 cell intercellular adhesion molecule 1 dependent adhesion,apical migration and transendothelial migration

T helper type 17 lymphocytes (Th17 cells) infiltrate the central nervous system (CNS), induce inflammation and demyelination and play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Sialomucin CD43 is highly expressed in Th17 cells and mediates adhesion to endothelial selectin (E-selectin), an initiating step in Th17 cell recruitment to sites of inflammation. CD43^−/− mice have impaired Th17 cell recruitment to the CNS and are protected from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the mouse model of multiple sclerosis. However, E-selectin is dispensable for the development of EAE, in contrast to intercellular and vascular cell adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1). We report that CD43^−/− mice have decreased demyelination and T-cell infiltration, but similar up-regulation of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in the spinal cord, compared with wild-type (WT) mice, at the initiation of EAE. CD43^−/− Th17 cells have impaired adhesion to ICAM-1 under flow conditions in vitro, despite having similar expression of LFA-1, the main T-cell ligand for ICAM-1, as WT Th17 cells. Regardless of the route of integrin activation, CD43^−/− Th17 cell firm arrest on ICAM-1 was comparable to that of WT Th17 cells, but CD43^−/− Th17 cells failed to optimally apically migrate on immobilized ICAM-1-coated coverslips and endothelial cells, and to transmigrate under shear flow conditions in an ICAM-1-dependent manner. Collectively, these findings unveil novel roles for CD43, facilitating adhesion of Th17 cells to ICAM-1 and modulating apical and transendothelial migration, as mechanisms potentially responsible for Th17 cell recruitment to sites of inflammation such as the CNS.     

Induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in the absence of c-Jun N-terminal kinase 2

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a CD4(+) T cell-dependent, organ-specific autoimmune model commonly used to investigate mechanisms involved in the activation of autoreactive T(h)1 cells. Mitogen-activated protein kinases such as c-Jun N-terminal kinase (Jnk) 1 and 2 play an important role in the differentiation of naive precursors into T(h)1 or T(h)2 effector cells. To investigate the role of Jnk2 on autoimmunity, Jnk2(-/-) and wild-type mice were immunized with the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) 35-55 peptide and the onset of EAE studied. Surprisingly, Jnk2(-/-) mice were as susceptible to EAE as wild-type mice, regardless of whether low or high antigen doses were used to induce disease. In vitro stimulation of lymph node cells from Jnk2(-/-) and wild-type mice resulted in comparable proliferation in response to MOG35-55, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and concanavalin A. MOG35-55-specific T cells lacking Jnk2 showed a T(h)1 cytokine profile with IFN-gamma, but no IL-4 or IL-5 production. No differences in the types of infiltrating cells or myelin destruction in the central nervous system were found between Jnk2(-/-) and wild-type mice, indicating that lack of Jnk2 does not alter the effector phase of EAE. Our results suggest that, despite involvement in T(h)1/T(h)2 differentiation in vitro, Jnk2 is necessary neither for the induction nor effector phase of MOG35-55-induced EAE and nor is it required for antigen-specific IFN-gamma production.     

Bowman–Birk inhibitor attenuates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by delaying infiltration of inflammatory cells into the CNS

Bowman-Birk Inhibitor (BBI), a serine protease inhibitor derived from soybeans, has anti-inflammatory properties and is able to suppress the development of central nervous system (CNS) autoimmunity in animal models. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a widely used animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), is characterized by breakdown of the blood-brain barrier and infiltration of inflammatory cells into the CNS, resulting in pathology. In this study, we observed that BBI-treated mice showed delayed onset of EAE and reduced disease severity compared to control mice. BBI-treated mice had fewer inflammatory cells in the CNS including significantly reduced numbers of Th1 and Th17 cells. In the periphery, BBI treatment suppressed the development of encephalitogenic Th1 and Th17 responses early on [day 7 post-immunization (p.i.)], while after disease onset (day 14 p.i.) BBI-treated mice had stronger Th responses, as determined by antigen-specific proliferation and cytokine production. These results demonstrate that BBI treatment temporarily suppressed the development of encephalitogenic responses, but these responses eventually attained normal magnitude. Given that BBI-treated mice exhibited stronger encephalitogenic responses in the periphery during clinically manifesting EAE, delayed disease onset, and reduced numbers of CNS-infiltrating cells, it appears likely that BBI impedes the exit of pathogenic Th1 and Th17 cells from lymphoid organs, thereby delaying their migration into the CNS.     

Cytokines and Murine Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis: Inhibition or Enhancement of Disease with Antibodies to Select Cytokines, or by Delivery of Exogenous Cytokines Using a Recombinant Vaccinia Virus System

To examine the complex role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of actively induced murine EAE we measured the levels of a number of cytokines (IL-6, IFN7 and TNF) in the spinal cord and CSF of mice with active experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and found them all to be elevated. We next treated mice with antibodies to these three cytokines, which were over expressed in the CNS, to determine if they would alter disease and found the following: anti-IL-6 had no significant effect on disease, anti-IFNγ exacerbated disease, and anti-TNF either enhanced, had no effect or inhibited EAE depending on the antibody used. We then treated mice with exogenous cytokines, delivered using a recombinant vaccinia virus system, and found that the IL-6 and TNF virus constructs inhibited EAE whereas the IFN1β construct had no effect on disease. Other cytokine recombinant viruses were also tested and it was found that the IL-1β, IL-2 and IL-10 viruses inhibited EAE while an IL-4 virus either had no effect or enhanced disease. We do not know the mechanism of action of the various cytokines in this system, but irrespective of the mechanism(s), this work clearly demonstrates that delivery of select cytokines using recombinant virus-cytokine constructs can provide a powerful means of downregulating experimental organ-specific autoimmune disease.     

PD-1 ligands expressed on myeloid-derived APC in the CNS regulate T-cell responses in EAE

Disease progression in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is regulated by programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) and its ligands, B7-H1 (programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1)) and B7-DC (PD-L2). B7-H1 and B7-DC have negative regulatory effects upon binding PD-1 on activated T cells and B7-H1 deficiency increases severity of both diabetes and EAE. However, the role of PD-L expression on different APC in the CNS in regulating local T-cell function during relapsing EAE has not been examined. Our data show that the majority of CNS CD4+ T cells isolated during acute EAE are PD-1+, and T cells specific for relapse-associated epitopes express PD-1 upon antigen stimulation in the CNS. B7-H1 and B7-DC are differentially expressed on discrete APC populations in the inflamed CNS. B7-H1 and PD-1 have mainly inhibitory functions on CNS T cells. B7-H1 negatively regulates the stimulation of activated PD-1+ T(H) cells, in co-cultures with microglia and different CNS-infiltrating APC presenting endogenously processed peptides. The preponderance of IFN-gamma+ versus IL-17+ T cells in the CNS of B7-H1(-/-) mice suggests that B7-H1 more selectively suppresses T(H)-1 than T(H)-17 responses in vivo. In contrast, blockade of B7-DC has less pronounced regulatory effects. Overall, the results demonstrate that B7-H1 expressed by CNS myeloid APC negatively regulates T-cell activation during acute relapsing EAE.     

Autoimmunity on alert: naturally occurring regulatory CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells as part of the evolutionary compromise between a 'need' and a 'risk'

Autoimmunity, at least in the central nervous system (CNS), is not only an outcome of immune system malfunction, but is the body's own protective mechanism against destructive self-compounds. Likewise, the naturally occurring regulatory CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells have a physiological function, and are not merely an evolutionary adaptation to suppress self-reactive T-cell clones that escaped deletion in the thymus. We postulate that the regulatory T (Tr) cells are the product of an evolutionary compromise between the need for autoimmunity on alert for tissue maintenance and the need to control autoimmunity to avoid autoimmune disease. In the event of an insult to the CNS, the balance between self-reactive (effector) T cells and Tr cells determines the time of onset, the intensity and the duration of the autoimmune response. This response might thus represent an adaptive mechanism, which is optimal for day-to-day maintenance, but insufficient in extreme cases of CNS damage or failure of regulation. Downregulation or upregulation of CD4(+)CD25(+) Tr cells might be a way to achieve better protection from neurodegenerative conditions induced by self-destruction or avoid autoimmune inflammatory disease development, respectively.