新型Rho激酶抑制剂FSD-C11化合物抑制EAE的作用研究

目的探索新型Rho激酶抑制剂FSD-C11化合物治疗实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎(EAE)的有效性及可能的作用机制,为今后可能的临床治疗提供实验依据。方法采用小鼠髓鞘少突胶质细胞糖蛋白35-55(MOG35-55)多肽诱导雌性C57BL/6小鼠建立EAE模型,于免疫后第3天起FSD-C11组按体质量40mg/(kg·d)腹腔注射FSD-C11化合物,EAE组注射等量生理盐水,实验期间每天定时记录两组小鼠临床症状评分及体质量变化。免疫后第28天取小鼠脊髓进行HE和髓鞘染色,流式细胞术检测脾细胞M1和M2型巨噬细胞表型,Western blot检测脑组织中诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)和磷酸化核蛋白因子κB(p-NF-κB)的表达。结果FSD-C11化合物可延迟小鼠的起病时间,降低发病率,减轻临床症状,减少体质量丢失;与EAE组小鼠相比,FSD-C11可减少脊髓炎性细胞浸润和髓鞘脱失(P0.05);抑制致炎性的M1型巨噬细胞,增加抗炎性和保护性的M2型巨噬细胞;抑制脑组织中iNOS和p-NF-κB蛋白的表达。结论新型Rho激酶抑制剂FSD-C11化合物在治疗EAE中显现出很好的潜力,其作用机制可能与调节巨噬细胞极性、抑制炎性反应有关。     

WAR-5、Fasudil治疗EAE的疗效比较及作用机制研究

目的比较WAR-5与盐酸法舒地尔(Fasudil)对实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎(EAE)的治疗效果,并探究其作用机制。方法采用小鼠髓鞘少突胶质细胞糖蛋白35-55多肽(MOG35-55)免疫雌性C57BL/6小鼠建立慢性EAE模型,并随机分为EAE对照组、WAR-5治疗组和Fasudil治疗组。于免疫后第3天开始,分别腹腔注射WAR-5、Fasudil及生理盐水,比较各组小鼠体质量变化和临床评分。于免疫后第28天处死各组动物,制作脊髓冰冻切片进行CD4+T细胞、CD68+巨噬细胞及核转录因子-κB(p-NF-κB/p65)染色,观察其在脊髓中的表达。提取脑组织的蛋白用Western blot法检测Rho相关卷曲螺旋蛋白激酶(ROCK)Ⅱ和p-NF-κB/p65蛋白表达,并采用Griess法检测脾细胞培养上清液的一氧化氮(NO)释放水平。结果与EAE对照组(108.70±20.26、399.00±25.94)比较,WAR-5治疗组(13.67±4.041、52.67±13.43)及Fasudil治疗组(15.33±5.033、31.00±13.45)脊髓内CD4+T细胞和CD68+巨噬细胞数目均减少(均P0.01),WAR-5与Fasudil两治疗组相比,差异无统计学意义。与EAE对照组(1.9500±0.3976、0.5885±0.05982)比较,WAR-5组(0.6137±0.1778、0.0096±0.0015)及Fasudil组(1.1960±0.2225、0.3574±0.1496)脑内ROCKⅡ、p-NF-κB/p65表达均降低,WAR-5治疗组脑内ROCKⅡ、p-NF-κB/p65表达亦均低于Fasudil治疗组(均P0.05)。WAR-5和Fasudil治疗组上清液NO含量分别为(16.40±0.5247)μmol/L、(17.69±0.2833)μmol/L,均低于EAE对照组〔(20.07±0.6116)μmol/L;均P0.001〕,且WAR-5治疗组低于Fasudil治疗组(P0.01)。与Fasudil治疗组比较,800μg及1600μg药物注射后,WAR-5治疗组小鼠的存活状态明显较好;800μg药物注射后,WAR-5治疗组小鼠的脚趾无明显血管扩张反应。结论 WAR-5对EAE的治疗效果与Fasudil相近,且其治疗安全性较好,扩张血管作用较小,其作用机制可能与WAR-5抑制小鼠ROCKⅡ的表达及抑制炎性反应相关。     

法舒地尔通过诱导EAE小鼠Occludin表达抑制其炎性细胞浸润

目的观察法舒地尔(Fasudil)对实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎(EAE)小鼠模型的治疗效果并探讨其作用机制。方法采用髓鞘少突胶质细胞糖蛋白35-55(MOG35-55)免疫建立国际标准的小鼠EAE模型。将免疫后的42只雌性C57BL/6小鼠随机分为EAE组、Fasudil早期治疗组和Fasudil晚期治疗组。Fasudil早期治疗组即免疫后第3天按体质量40mg/(kg.d)腹腔注射Fasudil,1次/d,至免疫后30d;Fasudil晚期治疗组即免疫后首只小鼠出现症状即开始腹腔注射Fasudil,注射方法和剂量同Fasudil早期治疗组;与晚期治疗组给药同一时间,给予EAE组等量生理盐水作为对照。免疫后隔天观察各组小鼠临床评分和体质量变化。于免疫30d后处死动物,分离小鼠脊髓腰膨大和脑冠状位中部1/3处做冷冻切片,行HE染色和免疫荧光染色。同时提取小鼠脊髓蛋白检测Occludin蛋白的表达。结果 Fasudil可改善EAE的临床症状,抑制脑血管内皮细胞Rho激酶(ROCK)活性。与EAE组相比,Fasudil早期治疗组和晚期治疗组CD31阳性内皮细胞上p-MYPT1表达均减弱(P<0.01,P<0.05),起病时间均延长(P<0.01,P<0.05),脊髓Occludin蛋白表达均增加(P<0.05)。结论 Fasudil对EAE具有治疗的潜能,其机制可能为通过抑制血管内皮细胞ROCK活性,参与诱导内皮细胞紧密连接蛋白Occludin的表达,从而抑制炎性细胞的中枢浸润,最终阻止疾病的发生和发展。     

马索罗酚对实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎小鼠Th1/Th2细胞炎症因子平衡的影响

目的探讨马索罗酚对实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎(EAE)小鼠白细胞介素-4(IL-4)、IL-12、干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)表达的调节作用。方法将8~10周雌性C57BL/6小鼠54只随机分成对照组、模型组、治疗组。每组再随机均分为发病后10d及20d亚组,每亚组9只。采用皮下注射髓鞘少突胶质细胞糖蛋白35-55(MOG35-55)多肽0.1mL诱导EAE模型。自发病当天起,治疗组小鼠给予马索罗酚10mg/(kg·d)治疗,模型组及对照组给予等量5%二甲基亚砜(DMSO)10mL/(kg·d)处理。比较3组小鼠临床症状评分。应用实时定量PCR检测小鼠脊髓和脾组织中IL-4、IL-12、IFN-γmRNA表达水平。应用ELISA检测脑组织中IL-4、IL-12、IFN-γ蛋白表达水平。结果与模型组比较,治疗组小鼠临床症状较减轻(P0.05)。与模型组相比,治疗组小鼠10d时脊髓和脾组织IL-12、IFN-γmRNA表达水平降低(P0.05),IL-4mRNA水平增高(P0.05),脑组织IL-12、IFN-γ蛋白水平降低(P0.05),IL-4蛋白水平增高(P0.05);与模型组相比,治疗组20d时脊髓组织IL-12、IFN-γmRNA表达水平降低(P0.05),脑组织IFN-γ含量降低(P0.05)。结论马索罗酚可能通过降低脑、脊髓及脾组织中IL-12、IFN-γ表达,增加IL-4表达,调节Th1/Th2细胞炎症因子平衡,进而改善EAE小鼠疾病严重程度。     

骨髓间充质干细胞对实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎小鼠的Iba1、IL-1β和IL-10影响

目的探讨骨髓间充质干细胞(bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,BMMSCs)对实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎(experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis,EAE)小鼠的小胶质细胞Iba1、IL-1β和IL-10表达的影响。方法以髓鞘少突胶质细胞糖蛋白多肽35-55(MOG 35-55)免疫诱导C57BL/6雌性小鼠制备EAE小鼠模型。将30只雌性C57BL/6小鼠随机分为3组:BMMSCs移植组、EAE组和正常组。采用免疫组化检测脑和脊髓的Iba1(离子钙结合衔接分子1)、IL-1β和IL-10的表达。结果 BMMSCs移植组神经功能缺损症状要轻于EAE组,BMMSCs移植组脑和脊髓的Iba1和IL-1β表达水平低于EAE组(P0.05),而BMMSCs移植组脑和脊髓的IL-10表达水平高于EAE组(P0.05)。结论 BMMSCs能改善EAE小鼠的症状,其作用机制之一可能是抑制了小胶质细胞的激活、抑制炎症因子IL-1β及促进抗炎因子IL-10的表达。     

地塞米松对实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎小鼠IL-17表达的影响

目的研究地塞米松对实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎(EAE)小鼠脑及脊髓组织中IL-17表达水平及脾组织中Th17细胞比例的影响。方法将33只C57BL/6小鼠随机分为对照组、EAE组和地塞米松组。EAE组及地塞米松组小鼠以MOG35-55进行免疫造模。地塞米松组小鼠自免疫当天至处死,隔日给予地塞米松磷酸钠注射液0.07mg·kg~(-1)腹腔注射。对照组及EAE组给予等量生理盐水。观察小鼠的发病情况及神经功能评分。应用苏木精-伊红染色、免疫组织化学染色、实时定量PCR、流式细胞学方法分别检测小鼠中枢神经系统炎症细胞浸润、IL-17阳性细胞表达、IL-17m RNA水平及脾组织Th17细胞比例。结果地塞米松组与EAE组比较,小鼠发病率及神经功能评分明显降低(P0.05)。与对照组比较,EAE组小鼠脑及脊髓组织中炎性病灶数明显增多(P0.05),IL-17阳性细胞数明显增多(P0.05),脊髓组织中IL-17m RNA水平明显升高(P0.05),脾组织Th17细胞比例明显升高(P0.05);与EAE组相比较,地塞米松组小鼠脑、脊髓及脾组织中上述指标明显降低(P0.05)。结论地塞米松可以降低EAE小鼠发病率,减轻发病时神经功能损伤程度以及脑和脊髓内炎性细胞浸润程度,并使IL-17mRNA、蛋白表达水平及Th17细胞比例下降。其神经保护作用可能是通过抑制IL-17/IL-23轴等免疫调节机制而实现。     

肉苁蓉多糖通过Shh通路缓解EAE小鼠的临床症状

目的探讨音猬因子(Sonic hedgehog,Shh)通路在实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎(experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis,EAE)小鼠发病过程中的作用,及肉苁蓉多糖(cistanche deserticola polysaccharide,CDPS)能否通过该通路缓解EAE小鼠临床症状。方法给予C57BL/6小鼠皮下注射髓鞘少突细胞糖蛋白35-55多肽(myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55,MOG35-55)抗原制备EAE动物模型。将60只小鼠随机分为正常对照组、EAE模型组、CDPS治疗组以及CDPS+Smo受体阻断剂环王巴明(cyc)治疗组(以下简称CDPS+cyc治疗组)4组,每组各15只。观察各组小鼠免疫注射后0~26d的临床症状评分,采用勒克斯光蓝染色(Luxol Fast Blue,LFB)检测各组小鼠脊髓组织内髓鞘脱失情况,Western blot法检测脊髓组织内Shh、碎片蛋白-1(Patched-1,Ptc-1)蛋白表达,采用RT-PCR检测脊髓组织内平滑蛋白(Smoothened,Smo)mRNA、神经胶质瘤相关癌基因1(Glioma-associated oncogene-1,Gli1)mRNA表达。结果自CDPS治疗第9天开始,CDPS治疗组小鼠临床症状评分低于EAE模型组(P<0.05),而CDPS+cyc治疗组临床症状评分高于CDPS组(P <0.05)。CDPS治疗组小鼠脊髓LFB评分较EAE模型组降低(t=9.64,P<0.01),而CDPS+cyc治疗组其LFB评分与EAE模型组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。EAE模型组小鼠脊髓组织内Shh、Ptc-1蛋白以及Smo mRNA、Gli1mRNA表达水平较正常组升高(均P<0.01),经CDPS治疗后,上述因子表达进一步升高(均P<0.01),而经cyc干预后,上述因子表达较CDPS治疗组降低(均P<0.01)。结论 CDPS对EAE小鼠临床症状有改善作用,其作用途径可能与Shh信号通路有关。     

雷帕霉素对小鼠实验性变态反应性脑脊髓炎大脑小胶质细胞活化的影响

目的探讨雷帕霉素对小鼠实验性变态反应性脑脊髓炎(EAE)模型大脑小胶质细胞形态及功能的调节作用。方法小鼠进行EAE造模后分为两组:①生理盐水组(潜伏期腹腔注射生理盐水);②雷帕霉素组(潜伏期腹腔注射雷帕霉素1次/日)。于发病高峰期时处死小鼠取大脑,采用Iba1免疫荧光染色分析大脑皮质小胶质细胞数量及形态;real-time PCR法检测各组小鼠大脑皮质的肿瘤坏死因子α表达量。结果雷帕霉素治疗组与生理盐水组比较,小胶质细胞数明显下降(P 0. 01),形态向M2表型转换。雷帕霉素治疗组与生理盐水组比较,M1表型标记物诱导型一氧化氮合酶及分泌的肿瘤坏死因子α表达量显著下降(P 0. 01)。结论雷帕霉素能抑制小鼠EAE模型大脑小胶质细胞活化,且抑制M1表型小胶质细胞的促炎功能。     

载脂蛋白E拟肽对实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎小鼠脑脊髓CD4+、CD8+T淋巴细胞表达的影响

目的 探讨载脂蛋白(Apo)E拟肽对实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎(EAE)小鼠脑脊髓CD4+、CD8+T淋巴细胞表达的影响.方法 40只C57BL/6J雌性小鼠随机分成EAE组、EAE治疗组、正常对照组、正常治疗组;采用髓鞘少突胶质细胞糖蛋白制备的完全抗原诱导EAE模型小鼠.免疫诱导次日,EAE治疗组和正常治疗组小鼠每隔2d皮下注射ApoE拟肽,EAE组和正常对照组小鼠皮下注射等量的生理盐水.免疫诱导后各组每日进行神经功能缺损评分(NDS);35 d后用免疫组化检测各组小鼠脑脊髓CD4+T细胞、CD8+T细胞的表达.结果 EAE治疗组NDS的峰值及终末评分显著低于EAE组(均P＜0.05).与正常对照组及正常治疗组比较,EAE组大脑、脑干和脊髓中CD4+T细胞数明显增高,大脑CD8+T细胞数明显增高(均P＜0.05).EAE治疗组小鼠大脑、脑干、脊髓组织CD4+T细胞表达显著低于EAE组(均P＜0.05);两组间CD8+T细胞表达水平的差异无统计学意义.结论 ApoE拟肽可抑制CD4+T细胞的表达,减轻免疫炎症反应,对EAE小鼠有神经保护作用;而对CD8+T细胞的表达无明显影响.     

雌激素对实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎小鼠的抗炎机制

目的 探讨雌激素减轻实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎(experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis,EAE)炎症反应的可能机制.方法 用MOG35-55多肽诱发60只EAE小鼠模型,做去卵巢术.分为治疗组(n=30)和对照组(n=30),治疗组予雌激素治疗.比较两组EAE小鼠的临床症状评分.取脑和脊髓,行H-E染色观察病理学改变,实时荧光定量PCR及ELISA检测EAE小鼠CNS中白细胞介素(interleukin,IL)-17、IL-23、肿瘤坏死因子α(tumor necrosis factor α,TNF-α)、干扰素γ(interferon γ,IFN-γ)、IL-4水平.结果 治疗组EAE小鼠与对照组相比临床症状减轻(P＜0.05);H-E染色显示治疗组炎细胞浸润减少(P＜0.05),实时荧光定量PCR及ELISA结果示治疗组CNS中IL-17、IL-23、TNF-α、IFN-γ表达降低而IL-4增加(P＜0.05).结论 雌激素可能通过降低IL-17、IL-23、TNF-α、IFN-γ,增加IL-4,从而减轻EAE小鼠炎症反应.     

E6020, a synthetic TLR4 agonist,accelerates myelin debris clearance,Schwann cell infiltration,and remyelination in the rat spinal cord

Oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) are present throughout the adult brain and spinal cord and can replace oligodendrocytes lost to injury, aging, or disease. Their differentiation, however, is inhibited by myelin debris, making clearance of this debris an important step for cellular repair following demyelination. In models of peripheral nerve injury, TLR4 activation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) promotes macrophage phagocytosis of debris. Here we tested whether the novel synthetic TLR4 agonist E6020, a Lipid A mimetic, promotes myelin debris clearance and remyelination in spinal cord white matter following lysolecithin‐induced demyelination. In vitro, E6020 induced TLR4‐dependent cytokine expression (TNFα, IL1β, IL‐6) and NF‐κB signaling, albeit at ～10‐fold reduced potency compared to LPS. Microinjection of E6020 into the intact rat spinal cord gray/white matter border induced macrophage activation, OPC proliferation, and robust oligodendrogenesis, similar to what we described previously using an intraspinal LPS microinjection model. Finally, a single co‐injection of E6020 with lysolecithin into spinal cord white matter increased axon sparing, accelerated myelin debris clearance, enhanced Schwann cell infiltration into demyelinated lesions, and increased the number of remyelinated axons. In vitro assays confirmed that direct stimulation of macrophages by E6020 stimulates myelin phagocytosis. These data implicate TLR4 signaling in promoting repair after CNS demyelination, likely by stimulating phagocytic activity of macrophages, sparing axons, recruiting myelinating cells, and promoting remyelination. This work furthers our understanding of immune–myelin interactions and identifies a novel synthetic TLR4 agonist as a potential therapeutic avenue for white matter demyelinating conditions such as spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis.     

Therapeutic potential of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by Fasudil,a Rho kinase inhibitor

The migration of aberrant inflammatory cells into the central nervous system plays an important role in the pathogenesis of demyelinating diseases potentially through the Rho/Rho‐kinase (Rock) pathway, but direct evidence from human and animal models remains inadequate. Here we further confirm that Fasudil, a selective Rock inhibitor, has therapeutic potential in a mouse model of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)‐induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The results show that Fasudil decreased the development of EAE in C57BL/6 mice. Immunohistochemistry disclosed that expression of Rock‐II in the perivascular spaces and vascular endothelial cells of spleens, spinal cords, and brains was elevated in EAE and was inhibited in the Fasudil‐treated group. T‐cell proliferation specific to MOG_35–55 was markedly reduced, together with a significant down‐regulation of interleukin (IL)‐17, IL‐6, and MCP‐1. In contrast, secretion of IL‐4 was increased, and IL‐10 was slightly elevated. There were no differences in the percentages of CD4⁺CD25⁺, CD8⁺CD28^?, and CD8⁺CD122⁺ in mononuclear cells. Histological staining disclosed a marked decrease of inflammatory cells in spinal cord and brain of Fasudil‐treated mice. These results, together with previous studies showing the inhibitory effect of Fasudil on T‐cell migration, might expand its clinical application as a new therapy for multiple sclerosis by decreasing cell migration and regulating immune balance. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

盐酸法舒地尔治疗实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎的潜能与抗炎作用

目的：探讨盐酸法舒地尔对实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎（EAE）的治疗效果及机制。方法：雌性C57BL/6小鼠,随机分为EAE对照组、盐酸法舒地尔干预组和盐酸法舒地尔治疗组。采用髓鞘少突胶质细胞糖蛋白多肽诱导慢性EAE模型。干预和治疗分别在免疫后第3天和症状出现时予以腹腔注射盐酸法舒地尔,观察EAE模型小鼠体重变化和临床症状,进行苏木精-伊红和CD4＋T细胞染色,同时检测磷酸化肌球蛋白磷酸酶（p-MYPT1）和核因子（NF-κB）。结果：盐酸法舒地尔可推迟并改善EAE小鼠症状,减轻中枢神经系统炎细胞浸润,抑制脊髓和脑p-MYPT1及脊髓NF-κB的表达。     

Expression of CD45RC and Ia antigen in the spinal cord in acute experimental allergic encephalomyelitis: an immunocytochemical and flow cytometric study.

We performed immunocytochemical studies to analyze the inflammatory infiltrate and major histocompatibility complex class II (Ia) antigen expression in the spinal cord of Lewis rats with acute experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced by inoculation with myelin basic protein and adjuvants. Using antibodies to lymphocyte markers and other monoclonal antibodies we found that during clinical episodes the inflammatory infiltrate was chiefly composed of T lymphocytes and macrophages. The majority of cells in the inflammatory infiltrate were stained by the W3/25 antibody to CD4 and a proportion was stained by OX22 which labels the high molecular weight form of the leucocyte common antigen (CD45RC). CD8+ T cells were sparse and B cells were not detected. There was minimal staining with the OX39 antibody to the interleukin-2 receptor. Presumptive microglia, identified by their dendritic morphology, expressed Ia antigen during the clinical episodes and after recovery. The prominence of Ia antigen expression after recovery could indicate that this Ia expression was associated with downregulation of the encephalitogenic immune response. We also performed flow cytometry studies on cells extracted from the spinal cord of rats before and during attacks of EAE. With flow cytometry, we found that in established disease a mean of 83(SD, 23)% of CD2+ cells were CD4+, and a mean of 27(SD, 12)% of CD2+ cells were CD45RC+. In rats sampled on the first day of signs, a mean of 43(SD, 22)% of CD2+ cells were CD45RC+. In the cells extracted from the spinal cord of rats with established disease a mean of 47(SD, 32)% of macrophages were CD45RC+. Our study has combined an immunocytochemical assessment of tissue sections with quantitative flow cytometry assessment of cells extracted from the spinal cord of rats with acute EAE. We have shown that the majority of T lymphocytes in the spinal cord are CD45RC-. We have also found prominent Ia expression on dendritic cells in acute EAE and after clinical recovery.     

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.     

Lymphokine mRNA expression in the spinal cords of Lewis rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis is associated with a host recruited CD45R hi/CD4 population during recovery

To evaluate CD4⁺ T cell subpopulations involved in the induction and recovery from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the CD45R phenotype and lymphokine mRNA profile was evaluated for encephalitogenic CD4⁺ T cell lines in vitro and compared to CD4^* T cells islated from the spinal cord of Lewis rats with EAE were > 90% of the myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific T cell lines and clones that adoptively transferred EAE were > 90% CD4⁺ and > 90% CD45R lo. A time course of EAE disease progression was monitored as a function of the percentage of CD45R hi/CD4⁺ T cells isolated from the spinal cords of diseased animals. The majority of CD4⁺ T cells found in the central nervous system during the early phase of passive EAE were CD45R lo (the same as the encephalitogenic lines/clones). A large increase of the CD45R hi/CD4⁺ T cells (up to 45%) was observed during the peak and recovery phases of EAE. Lymphokine mRNA production was analyzed from antigen-stimulated MBP-specific lines, and from spinal cord lymphocytes isolated from rats with EAE. The BP-specific lines produced Th1 lymphokines (IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α), while the spinal cord lymphocytes produced the same Th1 lymphokines as well as IL-4 and IL-10. The CD45R hi/CD4⁺ T cells isolated from the spinal cords were larger and expressed more lymphokine RNA per cell than the CD45R lo/CD4⁺ T cells. The encephalitogenic cells (CD45R hi/CD4⁺ T detected in the spinal cords of rats with a fluorescent dye and by allelic transfers and all of the CD45R hi/CD4⁺ lymphocytes found in the spinal cells were found to be host recruited. Thus it appears that the CD45R hi/CD4⁺ lymphocytes found in the spinal cord represent a host-recruited, activated cellular infiltrate that increased in number in the recovery phase of EAE and synthesized both Th1 and Th2 lymphokines.     

Adoptive transfer of cytokine‐induced immunomodulatory adult microglia attenuates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in DBA/1 mice

Microglia are resident antigen‐presenting cells in the central nervous system (CNS) that either suppress or promote disease depending on their activation phenotype and the microenvironment. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease causing demyelination and nerve loss in the CNS, and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal model of MS that is widely used to investigate pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic effects. We isolated and cultured microglia from adult mouse brains and exposed them to specific combinations of stimulatory molecules and cytokines, the combination of IL‐4, IL‐10, and TGF‐β yielding the optimal regime for induction of an immunosuppressive phenotype (M2). M2 microglia were characterized by decreased expression or production of CD86, PD‐L1, nitric oxide, and IL‐6, increased expression of PD‐L2, and having a potent capacity to retain their phenotype on secondary proinflammatory stimulation. M2 microglia induced regulatory T cells, suppressed T‐cell proliferation, and downmodulated M1‐associated receptor expression in M1 macrophages. Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)‐induced EAE was induced in DBA/1 mice and at different time points (0, 5, 12, or 15 days postimmunization) 3 × 10⁵ M2 microglia were transferred intranasally. A single transfer of M2 microglia attenuated the severity of established EAE, which was particularly obvious when the cells were injected at 15 days postimmunization. M2 microglia‐treated mice had reduced inflammatory responses and less demyelination in the CNS. Our findings demonstrate that adult M2 microglia therapy represents a novel intervention that alleviated established EAE and that this therapeutic principle may have relevance for treatment of MS patients. GLIA 2014;62:804–817     

载脂蛋白E拟肽对实验性变态反应性脑脊髓炎小鼠基质金属蛋白酶-9和基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子-1表达的影响

目的探讨载脂蛋白E(Apo E)拟肽对实验性变态反应性脑脊髓炎(EAE)小鼠基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)和基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子-1(TIMP-1)表达的影响。方法将30只雌性C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为Apo E拟肽组、EAE组和正常组,每组10只小鼠。EAE模型通过以髓鞘少突胶质细胞糖蛋白多肽35-55为抗原诱导。Apo E拟肽组在免疫后第2 d到30 d每隔2 d按5 mg/(kg·d)背部皮下注射Apo E拟肽。EAE组和正常组均以等体积生理盐水替代。免疫后第0~35 d每日对小鼠进行神经功能评分。免疫后第35d解剖小鼠,分离大脑和脊髓并行HE染色。采用免疫组化染色法检测各组小鼠大脑、脑干和脊髓的MMP-9和TIMP-1的表达。结果正常组小鼠均未发病。Apo E拟肽组、EAE组的小鼠全部发病,但各有1只小鼠发病后死亡。Apo E拟肽组与EAE组的发病潜伏期差异无统计学意义(P=0.72)。Apo E拟肽组的神经功能评分在峰值和慢性期(第35 d)均明显低于EAE组(均P0.05)。HE染色示,正常组未见炎症细胞浸润;EAE组小鼠大脑、脑干和脊髓均有不同程度的炎性细胞浸润,以脑干和脊髓较为明显;Apo E拟肽组小鼠CNS炎性细胞浸润相对于EAE组明显减少。EAE组小鼠大脑、脑干和脊髓的MMP-9表达均高于正常组(均P0.05)。Apo E拟肽组小鼠大脑和脊髓的MMP-9表达要明显低于EAE组(均P0.05),其中Apo E拟肽组小鼠中脑和脊髓的MMP-9表达与正常组相比无明显差异(均P0.05)。正常组小鼠脊髓TIMP-1的表达明显高于EAE组和Apo E拟肽组(均P0.05)。而Apo E拟肽组与EAE组小鼠大脑、脑干和脊髓TIMP-1表达的差异均无统计学意义(均P0.05)。结论 Apo E拟肽能通过抑制大脑和脊髓MMP-9的表达改善EAE小鼠的症状。     

Antisense oligonucleotide blockade of alpha 4 integrin prevents and reverses clinical symptoms in murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

We investigated the use of an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) specific for mRNA of the alpha chain (CD49d) of mouse VLA-4 to down-regulate VLA-4 expression and alter central nervous system (CNS) inflammation. ISIS 17044 potently and specifically reduced CD49d mRNA and protein in cell lines and in ex-vivo-treated primary mouse T cells. When administered prophylactically or therapeutically, ISIS 17044 reduced the incidence and severity of paralytic symptoms in a model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). This was accompanied by a significant decrease in the number of VLA-4+ cells, CD4⁺ T cells, and macrophages present in spinal cord white matter of EAE mice. ISIS 17044 was found to accumulate in lymphoid tissue of mice, and oligonucleotide was also detected in endothelial cells and macrophage-like cells in the CNS, apparently due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier during EAE. These results demonstrate the potential utility of systemically administered antisense oligonucleotides for the treatment of central nervous system inflammation.