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)

The active form of vitamin D, 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25(OH)(2)D(3)), can suppress disease in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of multiple sclerosis. Calcium appears to be a critical component of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-mediated suppression of EAE, as complete disease prevention only occurs with a concomitant increase in serum calcium levels. Calcitonin (CT) is a peptide hormone released in response to acute increases in serum calcium, which led us to explore its importance in 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-mediated suppression of EAE. Previously, we discovered that co-administration of pharmacological doses of CT enhanced the suppressive effect of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) on EAE, suggesting CT may play a role in 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-mediated suppression of EAE. To determine the importance of CT in EAE we have utilized a mouse strain in which the gene encoding CT and its alternative splice product, calcitonin gene related peptide-alpha (CGRP), have been deleted. Deletion of the CT/CGRP gene had no effect on EAE progression. Furthermore, treatment with 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) suppressed EAE in CT/CGRP knock-out mice equal to that in wild type mice. Therefore, we conclude that CT is not necessary for 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-mediated suppression of EAE.
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PMID:The calcitonin/calcitonin gene related peptide-alpha gene is not required for 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-mediated suppression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. 1956 74

T(h)17 cells, an inflammatory T helper cell subset, are involved in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory, autoimmune and allergic diseases. Recent evidence supports the idea that immune cell functions and the inflammatory response are finely regulated by various physiological substances. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a neuropeptide released from the sensory nerve endings, is one of these mediators. By binding to its receptor composed of receptor activity-modifying protein 1 (RAMP1) and calcitonin receptor-like receptor, CGRP modulates various immune cell functions, but the function of CGRP in T(h)17 cells is largely unknown. Here, we investigated the effect of CGRP signaling on T(h)17 cells and T(h)17 cell-mediated inflammation and observed that CGRP activates nuclear factor of activated T cells c2 through cAMP/PKA to increase IL-17 production in vitro. In vivo, IL-17 production is suppressed in RAMP1-deficient mice in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model and RAMP1-deficient mice are completely resistant to EAE. Furthermore, T(h)17 cell function and EAE induction are also suppressed in T cell-specific RAMP1-deficient mice. Taken together, our findings indicate that CGRP promotes T(h)17 cell-mediated autoimmune inflammation through the regulation of IL-17 expression.
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PMID:Calcitonin gene-related peptide enhances experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by promoting Th17-cell functions. 2284 30

Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) inhibits microglia inflammatory activation in vitro. We here analyzed the involvement of CGRP and Receptor Component Protein (RCP) in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Alpha-CGRP deficiency increased EAE scores which followed the scale alpha-CGRP null>heterozygote>wild type. In wild type mice, CGRP delivery into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 1) reduced chronic EAE (C-EAE) signs, 2) inhibited microglia activation (revealed by quantitative shape analysis), and 3) did not alter GFAP expression, cell density, lymphocyte infiltration, and peripheral lymphocyte production of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-17, IL-2, and IL-4. RCP (probe for receptor involvement) was expressed in white matter microglia, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and vascular-endothelial cells: in EAE, also in infiltrating lymphocytes. In relapsing-remitting EAE (R-EAE) RCP increased during relapse, without correlation with lymphocyte density. RCP nuclear localization (stimulated by CGRP in vitro) was I) increased in microglia and decreased in astrocytes (R-EAE), and II) increased in microglia by CGRP CSF delivery (C-EAE). Calcitonin like receptor was rarely localized in nuclei of control and relapse mice. CGRP increased in motoneurons. In conclusion, CGRP can inhibit microglia activation in vivo in EAE. CGRP and its receptor may represent novel protective factors in EAE, apparently acting through the differential cell-specific intracellular translocation of RCP.
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PMID:Involvement of calcitonin gene-related peptide and receptor component protein in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. 2474 22