Priming with interleukin-1beta suppresses experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in the Lewis rat

Lewis rats exhibit multiple defects in their hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system that are considered to play a causal role in the susceptibility of this strain to autoimmune diseases, i.e. experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). In the present study, we aimed to modulate the HPA response of the Lewis rat and establish its consequences for the susceptibility to EAE. Because in Wistar rats, single administration of interleukin (IL)-beta (priming) is known to induce long-lasting (weeks) sensitization of HPA responses to stressors and immune stimuli, Lewis rats were given a single dose of hIL-1beta or vehicle 1 week prior to induction of EAE by immunization with myelin basic protein (MBP). Subsequently, neurological deficits were monitored once daily. The results show that IL-1 priming markedly suppresses the neurological symptoms of EAE, without affecting the onset or duration of the disease. Measurement of vasopressin and corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) in the external zone of the median eminence revealed that, as compared to Wistar rats, Lewis rats exhibit low vasopressin but identical CRH, and that IL-1 priming increases (0.001) vasopressin without affecting CRH stores, which is consistent with a shift to vasopressin-dominated control of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion as described in Wistar rats under conditions of HPA hyper(re)activity. However, IL-1 priming did not affect a.m. corticosterone levels following immunization with MBP or during the clinical phase of EAE. IL-1 priming of Lewis rats attenuated the ACTH responses to an IL-1 challenge 11 days later, which may relate to an increase in resting corticosterone levels. Thus, the mechanisms underlying IL-1 induced suppression of EAE are not related to enhanced HPA responses. In addition, we did not find IL-1 priming-induced alterations in MBP-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)M, IgG1, IgGa and IgGb plasma titres, or gross alterations in T cell activation as reflected in spontaneous or concanavalin-induced T cell proliferation. We therefore speculate that IL-1-induced elevation of resting corticosterone levels may influence the development of EAE.