Protein kinase Ctheta controls Th1 cells in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Molecules that regulate encephalitogenic T cells are of interest for multiple sclerosis. In this study we show that protein kinase Ctheta (PKCtheta) is critical for the development of Ag-specific Th1 cells in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model of multiple sclerosis. PKCtheta-deficient mice immunized with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein failed to develop cell infiltrates and Th1 cytokines in the CNS and were resistant to the development of clinical EAE. CD4 T cells became primed and accumulated in secondary lymphoid organs in the absence of PKCtheta, but had severely diminished IFN-gamma, TNF, and IL-17 production. Increasing Ag exposure and inflammatory conditions failed to induce EAE in PKCtheta-deficient mice, showing a profound defect in the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-reactive T cell population. These data provide evidence of a pivotal role for PKCtheta in the generation and effector function of autoimmune Th1 cells.     

IL-23 is critical in the induction but not in the effector phase of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a T cell-mediated inflammatory disease of the CNS, is a rodent model of human multiple sclerosis. IL-23 is one of the critical cytokines in EAE development and is currently believed to be involved in the maintenance of encephalitogenic responses during the tissue damage effector phase of the disease. In this study, we show that encephalitogenic T cells from myelin oligodendrocyte glycopeptide (MOG)-immunized wild-type (WT) mice caused indistinguishable disease when adoptively transferred to WT or IL-23-deficient (p19 knockout (KO)) recipient mice, demonstrating that once encephalitogenic cells have been generated, EAE can develop in the complete absence of IL-23. Furthermore, IL-12/23 double-deficient (p35/p19 double KO) recipient mice developed EAE that was indistinguishable from WT recipients, indicating that IL-12 did not compensate for IL-23 deficiency during the effector phase of EAE. In contrast, MOG-specific T cells from p19KO mice induced EAE with delayed onset and much lower severity when transferred to WT recipient mice as compared with the EAE that was induced by cells from WT controls. MOG-specific T cells from p19KO mice were highly deficient in the production of IFN-gamma, IL-17A, and TNF, indicating that IL-23 plays a critical role in development of encephalitogenic T cells and facilitates the development of T cells toward both Th1 and Th17 pathways.     

GM-CSF production by autoreactive T cells is required for the activation of microglial cells and the onset of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a CNS autoimmune disease believed to be triggered by T cells secreting Th1-specific proinflammatory cytokines, such as GM-CSF. In the animal model of MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), Th1 but not Th2 cells have been shown to induce disease; however, to date, no single encephalitogenic T cell-derived cytokine has been shown to be required for EAE onset. Because GM-CSF-deficient mice have been shown to be resistant to EAE following immunization with myelin self-Ag, we investigated the cellular source of the required GM-CSF and found that GM-CSF production by encephalitogenic T cells, but not CNS resident or other peripheral cells, was required for EAE induction. Furthermore, we showed that microglial cell activation, but not peripheral macrophage activation, was a GM-CSF-dependent process. Activation of microglial cells by the injection of LPS abrogated the GM-CSF requirement for EAE induction, suggesting that microglial cell activation is required for EAE onset. These data also demonstrate that GM-CSF is a critical Th1 cell-derived cytokine required for the initiation of CNS inflammation associated with EAE, and likely MS.     

CD44 Reciprocally regulates the differentiation of encephalitogenic Th1/Th17 and Th2/regulatory T cells through epigenetic modulation involving DNA methylation of cytokine gene promoters, thereby controlling the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

CD44 is expressed by a variety of cells, including glial and T cells. Furthermore, in the demyelinating lesions of multiple sclerosis, CD44 expression is chronically elevated. In this study, we demonstrate that targeted deletion of CD44 attenuated myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide-induced experimental autoimmune encephalitomyelitis (EAE) through novel regulatory mechanisms affecting Th differentiation. Specifically, by developing chimeras and using adoptive transfer experiments, we noted that CD44 deficiency on CD4(+) T cells, but not other cells, conferred protection against EAE induction. CD44 expression played a crucial role in Th differentiation, inasmuch as deletion of CD44 inhibited Th1/Th17 differentiation while simultaneously enhancing Th2/regulatory T cell differentiation. In contrast, expression of CD44 promoted Th1/Th17 differentiation. When osteopontin and hyaluronic acid, the two major ligands of CD44, were tested for their role in Th differentiation, osteopontin, but not hyaluronic acid, promoted Th1/Th17 differentiation. Furthermore, activation of CD44(+) encephalitogenic T cells with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide led to demethylation at the ifnγ/il17a promoter region while displaying hypermethylation at the il4/foxp3 gene promoter. Interestingly, similar activation of CD44-deficient encephalitogenic T cells led to increased hypermethylation of ifnγ/il17a gene and marked demethylation of il4/foxp3 gene promoter. Together, these data suggested that signaling through CD44, in encephalitogenic T cells, plays a crucial role in the differentiation of Th cells through epigenetic regulation, specifically DNA methylation of Th1/Th17 and Th2 cytokine genes. The current study also suggests that molecular targeting of CD44 receptor to promote a switch from Th1/Th17 to Th2/regulatory T cell differentiation may provide a novel treatment modality against EAE.     

CD24 on the resident cells of the central nervous system enhances experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

CD24 is a cell surface glycoprotein that is expressed on both immune cells and cells of the CNS. We have previously shown that CD24 is required for the induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an experimental model for the human disease multiple sclerosis (MS). The development of EAE requires CD24 expression on both T cells and non-T host cells in the CNS. To understand the role of CD24 on the resident cells in the CNS during EAE development, we created CD24 bone marrow chimeras and transgenic mice in which CD24 expression was under the control of a glial fibrillary acidic protein promotor (AstroCD24TG mice). We showed that mice lacking CD24 expression on the CNS resident cells developed a mild form of EAE; in contrast, mice with overexpression of CD24 in the CNS developed severe EAE. Compared with nontransgenic mice, the CNS of AstroCD24TG mice had higher expression of cytokine genes such as IL-17 and demyelination-associated marker P8; the CNS of AstroCD24TG mice accumulated higher numbers of Th17 and total CD4+ T cells, whereas CD4+ T cells underwent more proliferation during EAE development. Expression of CD24 in CD24-deficient astrocytes also enhanced their costimulatory activity to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-specific, TCR-transgenic 2D2 T cells. Thus, CD24 on the resident cells in the CNS enhances EAE development via costimulation of encephalitogenic T cells. Because CD24 is increased drastically on resident cells in the CNS during EAE, our data have important implications for CD24-targeted therapy of MS.     

Retinoic acid promotes the development of Th2-like human myelin basic protein-reactive T cells

To determine if retinoids might be beneficial in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), all-trans-retinoic acid (tRA) was tested for its effects on proliferation and cytokine expression in human autoreactive T cells. tRA decreased human lymphocyte proliferation in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, tRA induced IL-4 gene expression in myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific T cell lines which had previously expressed a Th1-like phenotype. MBP-specific T cell lines generated in the presence of tRA had a Th2-like phenotype. Retinoids have previously been shown to have a similar effect on encephalitogenic T cells in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE; an animal model for MS) and treatment of EAE with retinoids stabilizes the disease. Since several oral retinoids have been shown to be safe in humans, retinoids may be beneficial in the treatment of MS.     

De novo central nervous system processing of myelin antigen is required for the initiation of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

We demonstrate the absolute requirement for a functioning class II-restricted Ag processing pathway in the CNS for the initiation of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). C57BL/6 (B6) mice deficient for the class II transactivator, which have defects in MHC class II, invariant chain (Ii), and H-2M (DM) expression, are resistant to initiation of myelin oligodendrocyte protein (MOG) peptide, MOG(35-55)-specific EAE by both priming and adoptive transfer of encephalitogenic T cells. However, class II transactivator-deficient mice can prime a suboptimal myelin-specific CD4(+) Th1 response. Further, B6 mice individually deficient for Ii and DM are also resistant to initiation of both active and adoptive EAE. Although both Ii-deficient and DM-deficient APCs can present MOG peptide to CD4(+) T cells, neither is capable of processing and presenting the encephalitogenic peptide of intact MOG protein. This phenotype is not Ag-specific, as DM- and Ii-deficient mice are also resistant to initiation of EAE by proteolipid protein peptide PLP(178-191). Remarkably, DM-deficient mice can prime a potent peripheral Th1 response to MOG(35-55), comparable to the response seen in wild-type mice, yet maintain resistance to EAE initiation. Most striking is the demonstration that T cells from MOG(35-55)-primed DM knockout mice can adoptively transfer EAE to wild-type, but not DM-deficient, mice. Together, these data demonstrate that the inability to process antigenic peptide from intact myelin protein results in resistance to EAE and that de novo processing and presentation of myelin Ags in the CNS is absolutely required for the initiation of autoimmune demyelinating disease.     

Pathogenic and protective functions of TNF in neuroinflammation are defined by its expression in T lymphocytes and myeloid cells

TNF displays pathogenic activities in many autoimmune disorders. However, anti-TNF therapy in multiple sclerosis patients failed because of poorly understood reasons. We used a panel of gene-targeted mice that allowed cell-type specific ablation of TNF to uncover pathogenic and protective contributions of this cytokine during autoimmune disease of the CNS. T cells and myeloid cells were found to be critical cellular sources of TNF during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). TNF produced by myeloid cells accelerated the onset of disease by regulation of chemokine expression in the CNS, driving the recruitment of inflammatory cells into the target organ. TNF produced by T cells exacerbated the damage to the CNS during EAE by regulating infiltration of inflammatory myeloid cells into the CNS. In secondary lymphoid organs, TNF expressed by myeloid cells and T cells acted in synergy to dampen IL-12p40 and IL-6 production by APCs, subsequently inhibiting the development of encephalitogenic T cell responses of Th1 and Th17 types. This dual role of TNF during EAE (protective in lymphoid organs and pathogenic in CNS) suggests that global TNF blockade might be inefficient in multiple sclerosis patients because augmented autoreactive T cell development in lymphoid tissues might overwhelm the beneficial effects resulting from TNF inhibition in the CNS.     

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonist 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J(2) ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) are members of a nuclear hormone receptor superfamily that includes receptors for steroids, retinoids, and thyroid hormone, all of which are known to affect the immune response. Previous studies dealing with PPAR-gamma expression in the immune system have been limited. Recently, PPAR-gamma was identified in monocyte/macrophage cells. In this study we examined the role of PPAR-gamma in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for the human disease multiple sclerosis. The hypothesis we are testing is whether PPAR-gamma plays an important role in EAE pathogenesis and whether PPAR-gamma ligands can inhibit the clinical expression of EAE. Initial studies have shown that the presence of the PPAR-gamma ligand 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-PGJ(2) (15d-PGJ2) inhibits the proliferation of Ag-specific T cells from the spleen of myelin basic protein Ac(1-11) TCR-transgenic mice. 15d-PGJ2 suppressed IFN-gamma, IL-10, and IL-4 production by both Con A- and myelin basic protein Ac(1-11) peptide-stimulated lymphocytes as determined by ELISA and ELISPOT assay. Culture of encephalitogenic T cells with 15d-PGJ2 in the presence of Ag reduced the ability of these cells to adoptively transfer EAE. Examination of the target organ, the CNS, during the course of EAE revealed expression of PPAR-gamma in the spinal cord inflammatory infiltrate. Administration of 15d-PGJ2 before and at the onset of clinical signs of EAE significantly reduced the severity of disease. These results suggest that PPAR-gamma ligands may be a novel therapeutic agent for diseases such as multiple sclerosis.     

Myelin/oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-induced autoimmune encephalomyelitis in common marmosets: the encephalitogenic T cell epitope pMOG24-36 is presented by a monomorphic MHC class II molecule

Immunization of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) with a single dose of human myelin in CFA, without administration of Bordetella pertussis, induces a form of autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) resembling in its clinical and pathological expression multiple sclerosis in humans. The EAE incidence in our outbred marmoset colony is 100%. This study was undertaken to assess the genetic and immunological basis of the high EAE susceptibility. To this end, we determined the separate contributions of immune reactions to myelin/oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) and myelin basic protein to the EAE induction. Essentially all pathological features of myelin-induced EAE were also found in animals immunized with MOG in CFA, whereas in animals immunized with myelin basic protein in CFA clinical and pathological signs of EAE were lacking. The epitope recognition by anti-MOG Abs and T cells were assessed. Evidence is provided that the initiation of EAE is based on T and B cell activation by the encephalitogenic phMOG14-36 peptide in the context of monomorphic Caja-DRB*W1201 molecules.     

Monomeric recombinant TCR ligand reduces relapse rate and severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in SJL/J mice through cytokine switch

Our previous studies demonstrated that oligomeric recombinant TCR ligands (RTL) can treat clinical signs of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and induce long-term T cell tolerance against encephalitogenic peptides. In the current study, we produced a monomeric I-A(s)/PLP 139-151 peptide construct (RTL401) suitable for use in SJL/J mice that develop relapsing disease after injection of PLP 139-151 peptide in CFA. RTL401 given i.v. or s.c. but not empty RTL400 or free PLP 139-151 peptide prevented relapses and significantly reduced clinical severity of EAE induced by PLP 139-151 peptide in SJL/J or (C57BL/6 x SJL)F(1) mice, but did not inhibit EAE induced by PLP 178-191 or MBP 84-104 peptides in SJL/J mice, or MOG 35-55 peptide in (C57BL/6 x SJL/J)F(1) mice. RTL treatment of EAE caused stable or enhanced T cell proliferation and secretion of IL-10 in the periphery, but reduced secretion of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. In CNS, there was a modest reduction of inflammatory cells, reduced expression of very late activation Ag-4, lymphocyte function-associated Ag-1, and inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and chemokine receptors, but enhanced expression of Th2-related factors, IL-10, TGF-beta3, and CCR3. These results suggest that monomeric RTL therapy induces a cytokine switch that curbs the encephalitogenic potential of PLP 139-151-specific T cells without fully preventing their entry into CNS, wherein they reduce the severity of inflammation. This mechanism differs from that observed using oligomeric RTL therapy in other EAE models. These results strongly support the clinical application of this novel class of peptide/MHC class II constructs in patients with multiple sclerosis who have focused T cell responses to known encephalitogenic myelin peptides.     

Host T cells are the main producers of IL-17 within the central nervous system during initiation of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis induced by adoptive transfer of Th1 cell lines

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis, has long been thought to be mediated by Th1 CD4(+) T cells. Using adoptive transfer techniques, transfer of CNS specific Th1 T cells was sufficient to induce EAE in naive mice. However, recent studies found a vital role for IL-17 in induction of EAE. These studies suggested that a fraction of IL-17-producing T cells that contaminate Th1 polarized cell lines are largely responsible for initiation of EAE. In this study, we tracked the appearance and cytokine production capacity of adoptively transferred cells within the CNS of mice throughout EAE disease. IL-17-producing, adoptively transferred cells were not enriched over the low percentages present in vitro. Thus, there was no selective recruitment and/or preferential proliferation of adoptively transferred IL-17-producing cells during the induction of EAE. Instead a large number of CNS infiltrating host T cells in mice with EAE were capable of producing IL-17 following ex vivo stimulation. The IL-17-producing T cells contained both alphabeta and gammadelta TCR(+) T cells with a CD4(+)CD8(-) or CD4(-)CD8(-) phenotype. These cells concentrated within the CNS within 3 days of adoptive transfer, and appeared to play a role in EAE induction as adoptive transfer of Th1 lines derived from wild-type mice into IL-17-deficient mice induced reduced EAE clinical outcomes. This study demonstrates that an encephalitogenic Th1 cell line induces recruitment of host IL-17-producing T cells to the CNS during the initiation of EAE and that these cells contribute to the incidence and severity of disease.     

Leonurine suppresses neuroinflammation through promoting oligodendrocyte maturation

Focal inflammation and remyelination failure are major hallmarks of multiple sclerosis and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In this study, we found that leonurine, a bioactive alkaloid, alleviated EAE disease severity along with reduced central nervous system inflammation and myelin damage. During the pathogenesis of EAE, leonurine dramatically suppressed the recruitment of encephalitogenic T cells into the central nervous system, whereas did not impair periphery immune responses and microglia activation. Mechanistically, leonurine protected mice against demyelination along with enhanced remyelination through promoting the maturation of oligodendrocytes in both EAE and cuprizone‐induced demyelination mouse models. Moreover, we identified that the expression of demethylase jumonji domain‐containing protein D3 was significantly enhanced upon treatment of leonurine, which suppressed the trimethylation of histone H3 lysine‐27 and enhanced oligodendrocyte maturation accordingly. Collectively, our study identified the therapeutic effect of leonurine on EAE model, which potentially represents a promising therapeutic strategy for multiple sclerosis, even other demyelination disorders.     

Suppressive effect of IL-27 on encephalitogenic Th17 cells and the effector phase of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

IL-27 has been shown to play a suppressive role in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as demonstrated by more severe disease in IL-27R-deficient (WSX-1(-/-)) mice. However, whether IL-27 influences the induction or effector phase of EAE is unknown. This is an important question as therapies for autoimmune diseases are generally started after autoreactive T cells have been primed. In this study, we demonstrate maximal gene expression of IL-27 subunits and its receptor in the CNS at the effector phases of relapsing-remitting EAE including disease peak and onset of relapse. We also show that activated astrocyte cultures secrete IL-27p28 protein which is augmented by the endogenous factor, IFN-gamma. To investigate functional significance of a correlation between gene expression and disease activity, we examined the effect of IL-27 at the effector phase of disease using adoptive transfer EAE. Exogenous IL-27 potently suppressed the ability of encephalitogenic lymph node and spleen cells to transfer EAE. IL-27 significantly inhibited both nonpolarized and IL-23-driven IL-17 production by myelin-reactive T cells thereby suppressing their encephalitogenicity in adoptive transfer EAE. Furthermore, we demonstrate a strong suppressive effect of IL-27 on active EAE in vivo when delivered by s.c. osmotic pump. IL-27-treated mice had reduced CNS inflammatory infiltration and, notably, a lower proportion of Th17 cells. Together, these data demonstrate the suppressive effect of IL-27 on primed, autoreactive T cells, particularly, cells of the Th17 lineage. IL-27 can potently suppress the effector phase of EAE in vivo and, thus, may have therapeutic potential in autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.     

IL‐1 signaling is critical for expansion but not generation of autoreactive GM‐CSF+ Th17 cells

Interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) is implicated in numerous pathologies, including multiple sclerosis and its animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). However, the exact mechanism by which IL‐1 is involved in the generation of pathogenic T cells and in disease development remains largely unknown. We found that following EAE induction, pertussis toxin administration leads to IL‐1 receptor type 1 (IL‐1R1)‐dependent IL‐1β expression by myeloid cells in the draining lymph nodes. This myeloid‐derived IL‐1β did not vitally contribute to the generation and plasticity of Th17 cells, but rather promoted the expansion of a GM‐CSF⁺ Th17 cell subset, thereby enhancing its encephalitogenic potential. Lack of expansion of GM‐CSF‐producing Th17 cells led to ameliorated disease in mice deficient for IL‐1R1 specifically in T cells. Importantly, pathogenicity of IL‐1R1‐deficient T cells was fully restored by IL‐23 polarization and expansion in vitro. Therefore, our data demonstrate that IL‐1 functions as a mitogenic mediator of encephalitogenic Th17 cells rather than qualitative inducer of their generation.     

Antigen-specific therapy promotes repair of myelin and axonal damage in established EAE

Inflammation results in CNS damage in multiple sclerosis (MS) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS. It is uncertain how much repair of injured myelin and axons can occur following highly selective anti-inflammatory therapy in EAE and MS. In this study, SJL/J mice with established EAE were treated successfully with an antigen-specific recombinant T cell receptor ligand (RTL), RTL401, a mouse I-A(s)/PLP-139-151 construct, after the peak of EAE. To define the mechanisms by which late application of RTL401 inhibits EAE, we evaluated mice at different time points to assess the levels of neuroinflammation and myelin and axon damage in their spinal cords. Our results showed that RTL401 administered after the peak of acute EAE induced a marked reduction in inflammation in the CNS, associated with a significant reduction of demyelination, axonal loss and ongoing damage. Electron microscopy showed that RTL-treated mice had reduced pathology compared with mice treated with vehicle and mice at the peak of disease, as demonstrated by a decrease in continued degeneration, increase in remyelinating axons and the presence of an increased number of small, presumably regenerative axonal sprouts. These findings indicate that RTL therapy targeting encephalitogenic T cells may promote CNS neuroregenerative processes.     

Gamma delta T cells regulate the extent and duration of inflammation in the central nervous system by a Fas ligand-dependent mechanism

Gamma delta T cells have been shown to regulate immune responses associated with inflammation, but the mechanism of this regulation is largely unknown. Using the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of the human CNS autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis, we demonstrate that gamma delta T cells are important regulators of CNS inflammation. This was shown using gamma delta T cell-deficient mice that were unable to recover from EAE. The chronic disease was accompanied by a prolonged presence of both macrophages and lymphocytes in the CNS. This extended inflammatory response was due to alterations in both cell proliferation and death. In mice lacking gamma delta T cells, proliferation of encephalitogenic T cells was 3-fold higher, and caspase activity, indicating apoptosis, was 2-fold lower compared with those in control mice recovering from EAE. gamma delta T cell-deficient mice reconstituted with wild-type gamma delta T cells recovered from EAE and resolved inflammation in the CNS, whereas mice reconstituted with Fas ligand-dysfunctional gamma delta T cells did not. Thus, gamma delta T cells regulate both inflammation in the CNS and disease recovery via Fas/Fas ligand-induced apoptosis of encephalitogenic T cells, and a quick resolution of inflammation in the CNS is essential to prevent permanent damage to the CNS resulting in chronic disease.     

Differential effects of IL-21 during initiation and progression of autoimmunity against neuroantigen

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.