Sex Effect on Cardiac Damage in Mice With Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Area of Science:

• Neuroimmunology
• Cardiovascular Science

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system autoimmune disease.
• MS patients may experience acute heart failure, with longer QTc intervals observed.
• Limited research exists on sex-specific cardiac injury in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of the immune system in mediating cardiac dysfunction in female and male EAE mice.
• To assess sex-based differences in cardiac damage and inflammation following EAE induction.

Main Methods:

• EAE was induced in female and male mice.
• Neurological function was evaluated.
• Cardiac function was assessed using echocardiography.
• Cardiac oxidative stress, hypertrophy, fibrosis, and inflammatory mediators were analyzed.

Main Results:

• EAE mice exhibited neurological deficits and cardiac dysfunction (decreased LVEF and LVFS).
• Male EAE mice showed increased cardiac oxidative stress (NOX-2), hypertrophy, LV mass, and fibrosis compared to controls.
• Male EAE mice had higher levels of inflammatory mediators (MCP-1, TGF-β, TLR-2) than female EAE mice.

Conclusions:

• EAE exacerbates cardiac dysfunction and inflammation in male mice more than in female mice.
• Immune system activation in EAE contributes to sex-specific cardiac outcomes.