Central catecholamine neurotoxin administration. 1. Immunological changes associated with the suppression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Central nervous system (CNS) depletion of norepinephrine (NE) using 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) prior to disease induction suppressed the clinical signs of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). This treatment did not have an effect on the degree of mononuclear cell infiltration when spinal cord sections were examined and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, nor on serum levels of anti-myelin basic protein antibodies. However, investigation of the subpopulations of lymphoid cells within the perivascular lesions showed an increase in cells bearing the T suppressor cell phenotype, OX8+, in the 6-OHDA-treated EAE rats when compared to saline-control-treated EAE rats. Examination of other cellular subsets showed no differences in the numbers of T helper cells, macrophages, or B cells within the lesions of the two groups. Furthermore, histofluorescent estimation of catecholamines in spinal cord sections from 6-OHDA- and saline-control-treated EAE rats demonstrated that catecholamines were indeed depleted in the rats with suppressed clinical EAE. These findings suggest that 6-OHDA depletion of CNS NE may remove an effector amplification mechanism, or trigger a T suppressor cell mechanism, or both, leading to suppression of the effector phase of EAE, clinical paralysis.     

Macrophage brain infiltration in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis is not completely compromised by suppressed T-cell invasion: in vivo magnetic resonance imaging illustration in effective anti-VLA-4 antibody treatment

Large inflammatory infiltrates of T cells, macrophages and B cells in the central nervous system (CNS) contribute to the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). The passage of T cells through the blood-brain barrier can be suppressed with antibodies directed against alpha-4 integrins (VLA-4) that mediate T-cell adherence. This treatment, in phase III of clinical trial evaluation, reduces lesion development in MS patients. In the ongoing inflammatory disease process the consequences of T-cell inhibitory anti-VLA-4 antibodies on inflammatory compounds are still poorly investigated. We show that anti-VLA-4 antibody treatment during the late preclinical phase of the acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) MS rat model interrupts T-cell egress out of the vascular compartment and suppresses clinical disease and histological alterations but macrophage recruitment in the CNS is not fully compromised. Among the treated EAE animals not developing disease, none presented foci of T-cell infiltration in CNS. However, in 75% of the treated EAE rats monocyte ingress in CNS was observed in vivo by magnetic resonance imaging with the ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide contrast agent. Our data shed new light on the role of remaining macrophage brain infiltration in an induced but interrupted T-cell-mediated EAE disease process.     

左旋咪唑对实验性变态反应性脑脊髓炎中枢神经病理的影响

目的:观察左旋咪唑(LMS)对实验性变态反应性脑脊髓炎(experimental allergic encephalomyelitis,EAE)中枢神经系统病理变化的影响。方法:制作豚鼠脊髓匀浆和LMS等Wistar-EAE大鼠模型,比较各组模型的行为学、组织病理学和髓鞘变化。结果:①与豚鼠脊髓匀浆组相比,LMS对EAE具有明显的促发作用,表现在潜伏期明显缩短,发病率明显升高(P<0.05);而且LMS能够代替豚鼠脊髓匀浆直接激发EAE;②组织病理学观察:发病大鼠以脊髓、小脑、脑干为主的中枢神经系统内可见不同程度血管套的形成,室管膜下炎性细胞浸润,神经细胞的肿胀、变性、坏死等;广泛的神经髓鞘脱失,断裂;但轴突相对完整。结论:LMS引起EAE。     

Tellurium Compound AS101 Ameliorates Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis by VLA-4 Inhibition and Suppression of Monocyte and T Cell Infiltration into the CNS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) involving demyelinating and neurodegenerative processes. Several of the major pathological CNS alterations and behavioral deficits of MS are recapitulated in the experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) mouse model in which the disease process is induced by administration of myelin peptides. Development of EAE requires infiltration of inflammatory cytokine-generating monocytes and macrophages, and auto-reactive T cells, into the CNS. Very late antigen-4 (VLA-4, α4β1) is an integrin molecule that plays a role in inflammatory responses by facilitating the migration of leukocytes across the blood–brain barrier during inflammatory disease, and antibodies against VLA-4 exhibit therapeutic efficacy in mouse and monkey MS models. Here, we report that the tellurium compound AS101 (ammonium trichloro (dioxoethylene-o,o′) tellurate) ameliorates EAE by inhibiting monocyte and T cell infiltration into the CNS. CD49d is an alpha subunit of the VLA-4 (α4β1) integrin. During the peak stage of EAE, AS101 treatment effectively ameliorated the disease process by reducing the number of CD49d⁺ inflammatory monocyte/macrophage cells in the spinal cord. AS101 treatment markedly reduced the pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, while increasing anti-inflammatory cytokine levels. In contrast, AS101 treatment did not affect the peripheral populations of CD11b⁺ monocytes and macrophages. AS101 treatment reduced the infiltration of CD4⁺ and CD49⁺/VLA4 T cells. In addition, treatment of T cells from MS patients with AS101 resulted in apoptosis, while such treatment did not affect T cells from healthy donors. These results suggest that AS101 reduces accumulation of leukocytes in the CNS by inhibiting the activity of the VLA-4 integrin and provide a rationale for the potential use of Tellurium IV compounds for the treatment of MS.     

Fas system up-regulation in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a T-cell-mediated disorder characterized by infiltration of the central nervous system (CNS) by mononuclear cells and macrophages, and serves as a model for multiple sclerosis. In acute monophasic and relapsing remitting forms of EAE, the CNS inflammatory infiltrates are cleared within a few days and, simultaneously, animals recover from their clinical disability. The mechanisms for rapid disappearance of the inflammatory cells are not fully understood. Fas and Fas-ligand (Fas-L) molecules are thought to play an important role in the deletion of autoimmune reactive T cells through apoptosis. However, recent observations in transgenic lpr and gld mice show that mutations inactivating Fas and Fas-L respectively ameliorate signs of EAE despite persistence of immune cell infiltrates into the CNS. In the current study, the expression of Fas and Fas-L was investigated by immunochemistry and in situ hybridization during the course of EAE in DA rats that were actively immunized with syngenic spinal cord homogenate. CNS apoptotic cells were simultaneously examined using terminal transferase dUTP nick end-labeling techniques. During the acute phase of the disease, a significant proportion of CNS CD4+ cells (80%) and macrophages (50%) expressed Fas and Fas-L (80 and 60%, respectively). Simultaneously, about 20% of CD4+ cells and 30% of macrophages were found to be apoptotic. Some astrocytes and neurons also expressed Fas and Fas-L, although they did not appear to be apoptotic. These results further support a role for Fas-mediated lymphocyte and macrophage apoptosis in this model of CNS autoimmune disease but they also suggest a more complex role for Fas/Fas-L interactions in CNS autoimmunity, including resident cells.     

Anti-inflammatory effect of erythropoietin therapy on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Previous studies report that erythropoietin (EPO) has a neuroprotective role in some neurodegenerative diseases, but the mechanisms are not completely elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate whether EPO exerts neuroprotective role in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) via the routes of anti-inflammation. We established an EAE mice model treated intraperitoneally with EPO at the dose of 5,000 IU/kg on schedule, and recorded the clinical score and weight fluctuation. The infiltration of inflammatory cells in the spinal cord of EAE mice was observed with hemotoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and the levels of IL-10, IFN-γ, IL-17, and MHC-II in central nervous system (CNS)-infiltrating cells and peripheral mononuclear cells were detected by flow cytometry or ELISA. EPO therapy ameliorates clinical signs of EAE mice, inhibits the body weight loss, and decreases the infiltration of inflammatory cells in spinal cords. IL-17 and IFN-γ are reduced, while IL-10 is not increased significantly, in both CNS-infiltrating cells and peripheral mononuclear cells of EPO-treated EAE mice, as compared with EAE control group. EPO also reduces the expression of MHC-II on peripheral antigen presentation cells. Our results indicate that EPO exerts a beneficial role in EAE by inhibiting the levels of IL-17 and IFN-γ in peripheral splenic cells and CNS-infiltrating cells.     

Phagocytotic removal of apoptotic,inflammatory lymphocytes in the central nervous system by microglia and its functional implications

Calpain activity and expression at the protein level were examined in inflammatory cells, activated microglia, and astrocytes prior to or at onset of symptomatic experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for the human demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis (MS). EAE was induced in Lewis rats by injection of guinea pig spinal cord homogenate and myelin basic protein (MBP) emulsified with Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA). Calpain translational expression, determined by Western blot and immunocytochemistry, was correlated with calpain activity, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and myelin loss at 2-11 days following challenge with antigen. Controls (CFA only) did not show any changes over time in these parameters and very few changes (CD11+ microglia/mononuclear phagocytes) were seen in either group from days 2 to 8 post-induction. In contrast, from days 9 to 11, the animals that developed the disease (at least grade 1) demonstrated extensive cellular infiltration (CD4+, CD25+, and CD11+ as well as increased calpain expression (content) and activity. This study demonstrates that cell infiltration and increased calpain activity do not begin in the CNS until the onset of clinical signs.     

Similar pattern of MCP-1 expression in spinal cords and eyes of Lewis rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis associated anterior uveitis

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a member of the CC chemokine family responsible for the recruitment of T cells that have been found during inflammation of the spinal cord in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in Lewis rats immunized with myelin basic protein (MBP). Lewis rats injected with MBP also developed anterior uveitis (AU), which coincided with the onset of EAE. In the present studies, we examined the expression and distribution of MCP-1 in the eye and spinal cord during disease and compared it to the expression of Th1 cell type cytokines. Initially, MCP-1 expression was detected at the preclinical phase in the iris/ciliary body and lumbar spinal cord and increased during the course of EAE/AU. Mononuclear infiltrating cells and endothelial cells and astrocytes of the CNS could be identified as a source of MCP-1 by in situ hybridization. Kinetics of expression of Th1 characteristic cytokines such as IL-2 and IFNγ was in agreement with the expression of MCP-1 chemokine. Moreover, induction of the gene expression of MCP-1 seemed to occur earlier than that of MIP-2, and it correlated with increasing disease severity. MCP-1 seems to contribute to the initial recruitment of inflammatory cells into both the tissues of the eye and CNS over the course of disease. J. Neurosci. Res. 50:531–538, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Beneficial effect of modified peptide inhibitor of alpha4 integrins on experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in Lewis rats.

An important event in the pathogenesis of the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis (MS) is the recruitment of lymphocytes and inflammatory macrophages to the central nervous system (CNS). Recruitment requires adhesive interactions between the leukocytes and the microvascular endothelium, perivascular cells, and astrocytes in the CNS parenchyma. Previous studies using an animal model of MS, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), have shown the involvement of the alpha4 integrin VLA-4 (beta4beta1). In the present study, the effect of a modified peptide inhibitor of alpha4 integrins on the clinical course and leukocyte infiltration during EAE is investigated. EAE was either induced actively, by immunizing Lewis rats with whole guinea pig MBP, or passively, by transfer of an MBP-specific T cell line. Treatment with the inhibitor (CS1 ligand mimic) completely prevented both clinical signs and cellular infiltration in passively induced EAE. Peptide treatment of actively induced EAE, which has a more severe disease course than the transfer model, significantly reduced clinical signs although the recruitment of inflammatory cells and induction of MHC class II expression was not prevented. The alpha4 inhibitor did inhibit the adhesion of lymphocytes to primary astrocytes in vitro suggesting a role for astrocyte-leukocyte interactions in the pathogenesis of induced EAE. Astrocytes were found to express an extracellular matrix protein distinct from fibronectin, which shows immune cross-reactivity with the CS1 domain of fibronectin. Our results show that small-molecule inhibitors of alpha4 integrins act therapeutically in EAE possibly by interfering with cell adhesion events involved in this autoimmune disease.     

Male rats develop more severe experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis than female rats: Sexual dimorphism and diergism at the spinal cord level

Compared with females, male Dark Agouti (DA) rats immunized for experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) with rat spinal cord homogenate in complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) exhibited lower incidence of the disease, but the maximal neurological deficit was greater in the animals that developed the disease. Consistently, at the peak of the disease greater number of reactivated CD4+CD134+CD45RC− T lymphocytes was retrieved from male rat spinal cord. Their microglia/macrophages were more activated and produced greater amount of prototypic proinflammatory cytokines in vitro. Additionally, oppositely to the expression of mRNAs for IL-12/p35, IL-10 and IL-27/p28, the expression of mRNA for IL-23/p19 was upregulated in male rat spinal cord mononuclear cells. Consequently, the IL-17+:IFN-γ+ cell ratio within T lymphocytes from their spinal cord was skewed towards IL-17+ cells. Within this subpopulation, the IL-17+IFN-γ+:IL-17+IL-10+ cell ratio was shifted towards IL-17+IFN-γ+ cells, which have prominent tissue damaging capacity. This was associated with an upregulated expression of mRNAs for IL-1β and IL-6, but downregulated TGF-β mRNA expression in male rat spinal cord mononuclear cells. The enhanced GM-CSF mRNA expression in these cells supported the greater pathogenicity of IL-17+ T lymphocytes infiltrating male spinal cord. In the inductive phase of the disease, contrary to the draining lymph node, in the spinal cord the frequency of CD134+ cells among CD4+ T lymphocytes and the frequency of IL-17+ cells among T lymphocytes were greater in male than in female rats. This most likely reflected an enhanced transmigration of mononuclear cells into the spinal cord (judging by the lesser spinal cord CXCL12 mRNA expression), the greater frequency of activated microglia/macrophages and the increased expression of mRNAs for Th17 polarizing cytokines in male rat spinal cord mononuclear cells. Collectively, the results showed cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the target organ specific sexual dimorphism in the T lymphocyte-dependent immune/inflammatory response, and suggested a substantial role for the target organ in shaping the sexually dimorphic clinical outcome of EAE.     

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis: Antigen-induced inhibition of biochemical and immunohistological alterations

A comprehensive biochemical, immunological, and histological study was undertaken during suppression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced by antigen-specific inhibition of the immune response. Pretreatment of Wistar rats by intraperitoneal administration of low doses of saline-soluble bovine myelin or myelin basic protein (MBP) but not with ovalbumin suppresses the appearance of the clinical symptoms of EAE induced by sensitization with bovine myelin in complete Freund's adjuvant. Analysis of the central nervous system (CNS) of animals pretreated with MBP or whole myelin shows inhibition of the diminution of MBP and 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphohydrolase (CNPase) activity observed in the EAE animals or in rats pretreated with ovalbumin. With respect to the CNS lipid content, these suppressive treatments abolish the increase in esterified cholesterol and partially revert the diminution in the content of cerebrosides and total cholesterol characteristic of the acute stage of the disease. Concomitantly, meningeal and parenchymal infiltration with mononuclear cells and deposits of immunoglobulins in the infiltrated regions as well as in spinal cord motor neurons were reduced. Analysis of the humoral response to myelin antigens shows that all EAE as well as treated animals developed antibodies to MBP and other myelin proteins. However, a higher incidence and level of these antibodies was observed in nontreated EAE animals and MBP- and ovalbumin-treated rats, while rats treated with total bovine myelin showed a highly reduced humoral response. The present results indicate that intraperitoneal treatment with soluble forms of myelin antigens, concomitant with the suppression of the clinical symptoms of the disease, markedly reduces the biochemical and histological alterations occurring in EAE animals and produces changes in the autoimmune humoral response. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

PECAM-1 (CD31) expression in the central nervous system and its role in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in the rat

The role of T cell activation associated adhesion molecules on lymphocyte traffic and the initiation of inflammation has received considerable attention. This study, using a new monoclonal antibody (mAb) TLD-3A12, describes the distribution of PECAM-1 (CD31), an Ig supergene family adhesion molecule thought to be important in leukocyte transmigration during inflammation, in rat lymphoid organs and spinal cord. PECAM expression within the CNS is confined to endothelial cells of the blood brain barrier (BBB). Induction of inflammation within the CNS using the adoptive transfer of myelin reactive CD4⁺ T cells results in the de novo expression of immune adhesion and accessory molecules in the spinal cord, while the level of PECAM appeared only mildly increased. The distribution of PECAM on CNS endothelial cells became more diffuse during EAE induction, possibly the result of endothelial cell activation. In vitro studies demonstrate a partial inhibition of antigen-specific CD4⁴ T cell proliferation following anti-PECAM mAb treatment. Treatment of Lewis rats with TLD-3A12 antibody prior to T cell injection and throughout EAE induction does not result in a delay in the onset of clinical signs or weight loss, nor does it decrease the incidence and severity of disease. These data suggest that the expression of PECAM by CNS endothelial cells is not a requirement for the initiation of inflammation and clinical signs of EAE following the adoptive transfer of encephalitogenic lymphocytes. Thus, cells requiring PECAM-1 to migrate and perform their pathogenic functions are not critical to the development of rat EAE. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Gene expression analysis of normal appearing brain tissue in an animal model for multiple sclerosis revealed grey matter alterations, but only minor white matter changes

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Recent studies suggest that, beside focal lesions, diffuse inflammatory and degenerative processes take place throughout the MS brain. Especially, molecular alterations in the so-called normal appearing white matter suggest the induction of neuroprotective mechanisms against oxidative stress preserving cellular homeostasis and function. In this study we investigated whether in an animal model for MS, namely in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), similar changes occur. We isolated normal appearing white and grey matter from the corpus callosum and the above lying cerebral cortex from DA rats with rMOG-induced EAE and carried out a gene expression analysis. Examination of corpus callosum revealed only minor changes in EAE rats. In contrast, we identified a number of gene expression alterations in the cerebral cortex even though morphological and cellular alterations were not evident. One of the most striking observations was the downregulation of genes involved in mitochondrial function as well as a whole set of genes coding for different glutamate receptors. Our data imply that molecular alterations are present in neurons far distant to inflammatory demyelinating lesions. These alterations might reflect degenerative processes induced by lesion-mediated axonal injury in the spinal cord. Our results indicate that the MOG-induced EAE in DA rats is a valuable model to analyze neuronal alterations due to axonal impairment in an acute phase of a MS-like disease, and could be used for development of neuroprotective strategies.     

Suppression of hyperacute and passively transferred experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by the anti-oxidant, butylated hydroxyanisole

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) was used to treat hyperacute, ordinary passive, and hyperacute passive experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in the Lewis rat. The anti-oxidant, delivered via mini-osmotic pumps, reduced the incidence, severity and mortality in hyperacute EAE and also reduced the incidence, severity and duration of disease in passively induced EAE and hyperacute passive EAE. In all cases, cellular infiltration by both mononuclear and polymorphonuclear leukocytes were significantly reduced in treated rats. BHA appears therefore to act at the effector stage of EAE, reducing cellular infiltration in the brain and spinal cord and minimising clinical signs without blocking sensitisation or activation. This was supported by the finding that spleen cells from BHA-treated donors immunised for hyperacute EAE transferred disease at least as well as cells recovered from untreated donors.     

Immunomodulatory synergy by combining atorvastatin and rapamycin in the treatment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)

Combination therapies are gaining momentum over monotherapies in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). Suboptimal doses of atorvastatin and rapamycin prevented or reversed clinical and histologic experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Secretion of proinflammatory Th1 and Th17 cytokines was reduced and Th2 and Treg cytokine secretion was increased in mice. Combination therapy promoted induction of Treg cells and attenuated the infiltration of inflammatory IL-17 cells in EAE. It appeared that rapamycin-reactivated ERK was blunted by addition of atorvastatin. Our results demonstrate that agents with different mechanisms of immune modulation can combine synergistically in treating CNS autoimmunity.     

白芍总苷对EAE大鼠中枢神经系统炎症浸润细胞凋亡及Bcl-2、Bax表达的影响

目的 探讨白芍总苷（TGP）对实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎（EAE）大鼠中枢神经系统（CNS）炎症浸润细胞凋亡及Bcl-2、Bax表达的影响.方法 建立大鼠EAE模型,将大鼠随机分为正常对照组、模型组、TGP组、泼尼松组,TGP组免疫后第1天起每天经口灌服白芍总苷悬浊液0.2 g/kg,泼尼松组给予泼尼松,正常对照组、模型组给予同体积生理盐水溶液,第17天处死,病理切片观察CNS炎症细胞浸润情况,TUNEL法检测浸润细胞凋亡情况,免疫组化检测浸润细胞Bcl-2、Bax蛋白的表达.结果 泼尼松组、TGP组与模型组相比,中枢神经系统炎症浸润细胞的数目减少,凋亡率增高.TGP组与模型组相比,Bcl-2表达下降,Bax的表达上调,Bcl-2/Bax的比值下降.泼尼松组与模型组相比,Bcl-2/Bax的比值下降.结论 TGP能减轻EAE的病情,其机制可能是下调Bcl-2的表达,上调Bax蛋白的表达,降低Bcl-2/Bax比值,促进EAE大鼠CNS炎症浸润细胞的凋亡,减少CNS炎症细胞的浸润.     

Early influx of macrophages determines susceptibility to experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in Dark Agouti (DA) rats

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is characterized by inflammatory infiltrates of myelin antigen(s) specific T cells and consecutive demyelination. Injection of encephalitogen into the footpads induces disease in genetically susceptible Dark Agouti rats (DA) but not in Albino Oxford (AO) rats although mild inflammatory infiltrates are observed in both strains early after disease induction. In addition, only DA rats develop disease when cells from (AO×DA) F(1) hybrids are passively transferred into sub-lethally radiated AO and DA parent hosts. The aim of the study was therefore to examine the participation of accessory cells, macrophages, dendritic cells and microglia in EAE development at the level of the target tissue in these two strains using specific membrane markers. We demonstrate here that in the induction phase of EAE in DA rats, macrophages (CD68(+); CD45(hi)CD11b(+)) are the first detectable infiltrating cells in the subpial regions of the spinal cord but were not found in AO rats. During the same period, resident microglial cells which are of the ramified variety are observed in both DA and AO rats. In DA rats at the peak of disease, when profuse influx of T cells is seen, macrophages and dendritic cells appear in the parenchyma of the CNS. In addition, at that time, microglial cells are activated. FACS analyses also reveal a significant increase in CD45(hi)CD11c(+) dendritic cells and CD45(hi)D11b(+) macrophages compared with levels in na?ve and immunized AO rats. During resolution of disease in DA rats, the expression of microglia and macrophage markers is comparable with those in na?ve non-immunized DA and immunized AO rats. We conclude that an initial influx of macrophages is indispensible for the development of EAE in DA rats. The presence of dendritic cells and myeloid dendritic cells at the peak of disease supports the role of these cells in EAE especially in relapses and chronicity. The activation pattern of microglia in DA rats does not indicate their role as antigen presenting cells in disease induction since they are ramified at the induction phase and only become activated after the overwhelming influx of T cells.     

Serum pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as an experimental model of multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by demyelination, infiltration of inflammatory cells into the nervous system and dysregulation of serum inflammatory cytokines. We investigated the correlation of serum cytokines and other inflammatory markers with the EAE pathogenesis. After EAE induction, the levels of different serum cytokine/inflammatory mediators were measured. Furthermore, motor functions, myelination, and lymphocyte infiltration in EAE mice were also assessed. Our results revealed that the serum concentrations of T-helper 1 (Th1) and Th17 cytokines, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, IL-1α and prostaglandin E2 in EAE mice were significantly higher than controls. The ratios of pro- to anti-inflammatory cytokines were different between the EAE and the control group. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the IL-6/IL-10 ratio and the EAE severity, demyelination rate, and lymphocyte infiltration in EAE mice. Results indicate that the profiles of serum pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines might be useful as biomarkers for monitoring the pathological manifestation of EAE. Furthermore, evaluating the dynamic interplay of serum cytokine levels and the correlation with pathogenic mechanisms of EAE may provide diagnostic and therapeutic insights for MS and some other inflammatory disorders.