Persistent Inflammation in the CNS during Chronic EAE Despite Local Absence of IL-17 Production

• Published in: Mediators of Inflammation Vol. 2013; no. 2013; pp. 1 - 10
• Main Authors: Zorzella-Pezavento, Sofia Fernanda Gonçalves, Chiuso-Minicucci, Fernanda, França, Thais Graziela Donegá, Ishikawa, Larissa Lumi Watanabe, da Rosa, Larissa Camargo, Marques, Camila, Ikoma, Maura Rosane Valerio, Sartori, Alexandrina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Limiteds 01.01.2013; Hindawi Puplishing Corporation; Hindawi Publishing Corporation; Hindawi Limited; Wiley
• Subjects: Animals; Central nervous system; Central Nervous System - metabolism; Encephalomyelitis; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental - immunology; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental - metabolism; Female; Forkhead Transcription Factors - metabolism; Freund's Adjuvant; Gene Expression Regulation; Health aspects; Inflammation; Interferon-gamma - metabolism; Interleukin-17 - metabolism; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit - metabolism; Interleukins; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Multiple Sclerosis - immunology; Physiological aspects; Spleen - cytology; Th1 Cells - cytology; Th17 Cells - cytology
• ISSN: 0962-9351; 1466-1861
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/519627

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an artificially induced demyelination of the central nervous system (CNS) that resembles multiple sclerosis in its clinical, histopathological, and immunological features. Activated Th1 and Th17 cells are thought to be the main immunological players during EAE development. This study was designed to evaluate peripheral and local contribution of IL-17 to acute and chronic EAE stages. C57BL/6 mice were immunized with MOG plus complete Freund’s adjuvant followed by pertussis toxin. Mice presented an initial acute phase characterized by accentuated weight loss and high clinical score, followed by a partial recovery when the animals reached normal body weight and smaller clinical scores. Spleen cells stimulated with MOG produced significantly higher levels of IFN-γ during the acute period whereas similar IL-17 levels were produced during both disease stages. CNS-infiltrating cells stimulated with MOG produced similar amounts of IFN-γ but, IL-17 was produced only at the acute phase of EAE. The percentage of Foxp3+ Treg cells, at the spleen and CNS, was elevated during both phases. The degree of inflammation was similar at both disease stages. Partial clinical recovery observed during chronic EAE was associated with no IL-17 production and presence of Foxp3+ Treg cells in the CNS.