Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0014070 (encephalomyelitis)
 13,017 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Usually we rely on vaccination to promote an immune response to a pathogenic microbe. In this study, we demonstrate a suppressive from of vaccination, with DNA encoding a minigene for residues 139-151 of myelin proteolipid protein (PLP139-151), a pathogenic self-Ag. This suppressive vaccination attenuates a prototypic autoimmune disease, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, which presents clinically with paralysis. Proliferative responses and production of the Th1 cytokines, IL-2 and IFN-gamma, were reduced in T cells responsive to PLP139-151. In the brains of mice that were successfully vaccinated, mRNA for IL-2, IL-15, and IFN-gamma were reduced. A mechanism underlying the reduction in severity and incidence of paralytic autoimmune disease and the reduction in Th1 cytokines involves altered costimulation of T cells; loading of APCs with DNA encoding PLP139-151 reduced the capacity of a T cell line reactive to PLP139-151 to proliferate even in the presence of exogenous CD28 costimulation. DNA immunization with the myelin minigene for PLP-altered expression of B7.1 (CD80), and B7.2 (CD86) on APCs in the spleen. Suppressive immunization against self-Ags encoded by DNA may be exploited to treat autoimmune diseases.
 ...
PMID:Suppressive immunization with DNA encoding a self-peptide prevents autoimmune disease: modulation of T cell costimulation. 1009 87

Dynamic interplay between cytokines and chemokines directs trafficking of leukocyte subpopulations to tissues in autoimmune inflammation. We have examined the role of IFN-gamma in directing chemokine production and leukocyte infiltration to the CNS in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice are resistant to induction of EAE by immunization with myelin basic protein. However, IFN-gamma-deficient (BALB/c) and IFN-gammaR-deficient (C57BL/6) mice developed rapidly progressing lethal disease. Widespread demyelination and disseminated leukocytic infiltration of spinal cord were seen, unlike the focal perivascular infiltrates in SJL/J mice. Gr-1+ neutrophils predominated in CNS, and CD4+ T cells with an activated (CD69+, CD25+) phenotype and eosinophils were also present. RANTES and macrophage chemoattractant protein-1, normally up-regulated in EAE, were undetectable in IFN-gamma- and IFN-gammaR-deficient mice. Macrophage inflammatory protein-2 and T cell activation gene-3, both neutrophil-attracting chemokines, were strongly up-regulated. There was no induction of the Th2 cytokines, IL-4, IL-10, or IL-13. RNase protection assays and RT-PCR showed the prevalence of IL-2, IL-3, and IL-15, but no increase in IL-12p40 mRNA levels in IFN-gamma- or IFN-gammaR-deficient mice with EAE. Lymph node cells from IFN-gamma-deficient mice proliferated in response to myelin basic protein, whereas BALB/c lymph node cells did not. These findings show a regulatory role for IFN-gamma in EAE, acting on T cell proliferation and directing chemokine production, with profound implications for the onset and progression of disease.
 ...
PMID:IFN-gamma shapes immune invasion of the central nervous system via regulation of chemokines. 1067 18

In experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, the acute phase of the disease is produced by T-helper lymphocyte type 1 (TH1), which produces mainly TNFalpha and IFNgamma. Recovery from the disease is mediated by T-helper lymphocyte types 2 and 3 (TH2/TH3), which, among other cytokines, produce transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta). To address the influence of TGFbeta on TH1-induced gene expression, microarray technology was used on murine primary microglial cells stimulated with IFNgamma and TNFalpha in the absence or presence of TGFbeta. The resulting data from an investigation of up to 5,500 genes provided the notion that TGFbeta prevents the induction of a proinflammatory gene program within microglia exposed to a TH1 milieu. TH1 cytokines upregulated 175 genes comprising cytokine, chemokine, and genes involved in host response to infection and the TNFalpha/IFNgamma intracellular signaling pathway. It is observed that TGFbeta inhibits expression of 25% of the TNFalpha/IFNgamma-induced genes and a further 66 TNFalpha/IFNgamma-independent genes. The focus of TGFbeta inhibition is observed to be directed in genes involved in chemotaxis (IL-15, CXCL1, CXCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL9), chemokine receptors (CCR5, CCR9), LIF receptor, and FPR2, and on genes mediating cell migration (MMP9, MMP13, MacMARCKS, endothelin receptor B, Ena/VASP, Gas7), apoptosis (FAS, TNF, TNF receptor, caspase-1 and -11), and host response to infection (toll-like receptor 6, Mx-1, and MARCO). Taken collectively, the data strongly suggest that one of the main effects of TGFbeta is to impair cell entry into the CNS and to hinder migration of microglia in the CNS parenchyma.
 ...
PMID:TGFbeta directs gene expression of activated microglia to an anti-inflammatory phenotype strongly focusing on chemokine genes and cell migratory genes. 1460 63

Leptin is 16 kDa adipokine that links nutritional status with neuroendocrine and immune functions. Initially thought to be a satiety factor that regulates body weight by inhibiting food intake and stimulating energy expenditure, leptin is a pleiotropic hormone whose multiple effects include regulation of endocrine function, reproduction, and immunity. Leptin can be considered as a pro-inflammatory cytokine that belongs to the family of long-chain helical cytokines and has structural similarity with interleukin-6, prolactin, growth hormone, IL-12, IL-15, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and oncostatin M. Because of its dual nature as a hormone and cytokine, leptin links the neuroendocrine and the immune system. The role of leptin in the modulation of immune response and inflammation has recently become increasingly evident. The increase in leptin production that occurs during infection and inflammation strongly suggests that leptin is a part of the cytokine network which governs the inflammatory-immune response and the host defense mechanisms. Leptin plays an important role in inflammatory processes involving T cells and has been reported to modulate T-helper cells activity in the cellular immune response. Several studies have implicated leptin in the pathogenesis of autoimmune inflammatory conditions, such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and intestinal inflammation. Very recently, a key role for leptin in osteoarthritis has been demonstrated: leptin indeed exhibits, in concert with other pro-inflammatory cytokines, a detrimental effect on articular cartilage by promoting nitric oxide synthesis in chondrocytes. Here, we review the recent advances regarding leptin biology with a special focus on those actions relevant to the role of leptin in the pathophysiology of inflammatory processes and immune responses.
 ...
PMID:Leptin, from fat to inflammation: old questions and new insights. 1564 35

The cytokine IL-21 is closely related to IL-2 and IL-15, a cytokine family that uses the common gamma-chain for signaling. IL-21 is expressed by activated CD4(+) T cells. We examined the role of IL-21 in the autoimmune disease experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for human multiple sclerosis. IL-21 administration before induction of EAE with a neuroantigen, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide 35-55, and adjuvant enhanced the inflammatory influx into the CNS, as well as the severity of EAE. Autoreactive T cells purified from IL-21-treated mice transferred more severe EAE than did the control encephalitogenic T cells. No such effects were observed when IL-21 was administered after EAE progressed. Additional studies demonstrated that IL-21 given before the induction of EAE boosted NK cell function, including secretion of IFN-gamma. Depletion of NK cells abrogated the effect of IL-21. Therefore, IL-21, by affecting NK cells, has differential effects during the initiation and progression of autoimmune responses against neuroantigens.
 ...
PMID:Differential effects of IL-21 during initiation and progression of autoimmunity against neuroantigen. 1572 77

IL-23 is regarded as a major pro-inflammatory mediator in autoimmune disease, a role which until recently was ascribed to its related cytokine IL-12. IL-23, an IL-12p40/p19 heterodimeric protein, binds to IL-12Rbeta1/IL-23R receptor complexes. Mice deficient for p19, p40 or IL-12Rbeta1 are resistant to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis or collagen-induced arthritis. Paradoxically, however, IL-12Rbeta2- and IL-12p35-deficient mice show remarkable increases in disease susceptibility, suggesting divergent roles of IL-23 and IL-12 in modulating inflammatory processes. IL-23 induces IL-17, which mediates inflammation and tissue remodeling, but the role of IL-12 in this respect remains unidentified. We investigated the roles of exogenous (recombinant) and endogenous (macrophage-derived) IL-12 and IL-23, on IL-17-induction in human T-cells. IL-23 enhanced IL-17 secretion, as did IL-2, IL-15, IL-18 and IL-21. In contrast, IL-12 mediated specific inhibition of IL-17 production. These data support the role of IL-23 in inflammation through stimulating IL-17 production by T lymphocytes, and importantly indicate a novel regulatory function for IL-12 by specifically suppressing IL-17 secretion. These data therefore extend previous reports that had indicated unique functions for IL-23 and IL-12 due to distinct receptor expression and signal transduction complexes, and provide novel insights into the regulation of immunity, inflammation and immunopathology.
 ...
PMID:Divergent effects of IL-12 and IL-23 on the production of IL-17 by human T cells. 1648 11

Infection by the neurotropic JHM strain of mouse hepatitis virus (JHMV) results in an acute encephalomyelitis associated with demyelination. T cells are critical in controlling viral replication, but also contribute to central nervous system (CNS) pathogenesis. To reveal a role for innate effectors in anti-viral immunity and neurological disease, JHMV pathogenesis was studied in mice deficient in interleukin-15 (IL-15-/-) and natural killer (NK) cells. Clinical disease, CNS inflammation and demyelination in infected IL-15-/- mice were similar to wild-type mice. Despite the absence of NK cells and suboptimal CD8+ T cell responses, IL-15-/- mice controlled JHMV replication as efficiently as wild-type mice. Similar kinetics of class I and class II upregulation on microglia further suggested no role of NK cells in regulating major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule expression on resident CNS cells. IL-15 and NK cells thus appear dispensable for anti-viral immunity and CNS pathogenesis during acute JHMV infection.
 ...
PMID:Mouse hepatitis virus pathogenesis in the central nervous system is independent of IL-15 and natural killer cells. 1651 Jan 64

The IL-21 receptor (IL-21R) consists of a unique subunit and a common gamma chain (gamma(c)) that is shared with other cytokines including IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, and IL-15. The interaction between IL-21 and IL-21R results in significant effects on both innate and adaptive immune responses. In this study we examined the influence of IL-21R deficiency (IL-21R(-/-)) on the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of human multiple sclerosis (MS). IL-21R(-/-) mice developed EAE earlier and more severe neurological impairment than control mice, yet those mice could effectively recover from neurological deficits. The impact on EAE initiation by IL-21R deficiency was associated with a defect of CD4(+)CD25(+) T regulatory (Treg) cells and a down-regulated expression of Foxp3. The recovery from IL-21R(-/-) EAE was correlated with an expansion of Treg cells as well as an organ-specific redistribution of NK cells. These results suggest that a temporal influence of IL-21 on the activity of immunoregulatory circuits can be important in the modulation of the course of the autoimmune disease.
 ...
PMID:IL-21 receptor expression determines the temporal phases of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. 1835 12

We have previously shown that a granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-15 (IL-15) 'fusokine' (GIFT15) exerts immune suppression via aberrant signaling through the IL-15 receptor on lymphomyeloid cells. We show here that ex vivo GIFT15 treatment of mouse splenocytes generates suppressive regulatory cells of B cell ontogeny (hereafter called GIFT15 B(reg) cells). Arising from CD19+ B cells, GIFT15 B(reg) cells express major histocompatibility complex class I (MHCI) and MHCII, surface IgM and IgD, and secrete IL-10, akin to previously described B10 and T2-MZP B(reg) cells, but lose expression of the transcription factor PAX5, coupled to upregulation of CD138 and reciprocal suppression of CD19. Mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis went into complete remission after intravenous infusion of GIFT15 B(reg) cells paralleled by suppressed neuroinflammation. The clinical effect was abolished when GIFT15 B(reg) cells were derived from mmicroMT (lacking B cells), MHCII-knockout, signal transducer and activator of transcription-6 (STAT-6)-knockout, IL-10-knockout or allogeneic splenocytes, consistent with a pivotal role for MHCII and IL-10 by sygeneic B cells for the observed therapeutic effect. We propose that autologous GIFT15 B(reg) cells may serve as a new treatment for autoimmune ailments.
 ...
PMID:A granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-15 fusokine induces a regulatory B cell population with immune suppressive properties. 1966 93

IL-15 initially identified as a T proliferating cytokine has several structural and biological similarities with IL-2 and has been associated with a number of autoimmune diseases. Because of the scarcity of information available on the role of IL-15 in MS pathogenesis, we have investigated how the absence of IL-15 affected the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a mouse model of MS. Following immunization of IL-15(-/-) and C57BL/6 mice with MOG(35-55), we observed a more severe neurological impairment in the IL-15 knockout mice than in the wild-type group. The enhanced disease severity in IL-15(-/-) mice was associated with greater demyelination in the spinal cord, increased immune cell infiltration and inflammation. These events may be related to the higher CD4/CD8 ratio and the almost absent NK cell activity, congenital immune features of IL-15KO mice. Moreover, we found that the fractalkine receptor CX3CR1 was overexpressed in the spinal cord of IL-15(-/-) mice, mainly localized on infiltrating CD8(+) T cells. How these findings are contributing to the aggravated EAE development in IL-15 KO mice remain unclear and need to be further investigated.
 ...
PMID:Aggravated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in IL-15 knockout mice. 2007 Sep 42


1 2 Next >>