Neuroendocrine influences on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
C C Whitacre1, K Dowdell, A C Griffin
1Department of Medical Microbiology, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus 43210-1239, USA. Whitacre.3@osu.edu
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|June 18, 1998
Summary
Restraint stress suppresses experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model for multiple sclerosis, in rats and mice. This neuroendocrine modulation reduces disease severity but effects diminish after stress cessation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Neuroendocrinology
- Autoimmune Diseases
Background:
- Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) serves as a model for human multiple sclerosis.
- EAE is an inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) disease driven by T lymphocytes targeting myelin basic protein (MBP).
- EAE manifests acutely in Lewis rats and with relapsing-remitting or chronic courses in mice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of neuroendocrine modulation via restraint stress on EAE models.
- To understand the mechanisms underlying stress-induced effects on autoimmune CNS inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Lewis rats and B10.PL mice were subjected to daily restraint stress before or after induction of EAE.
- Clinical and histopathological EAE scores were assessed.
- In vitro analyses examined lymphocyte populations, cytokine responses (Th1/Th2), and T-cell receptor activity.
Main Results:
- Restraint stress significantly suppressed clinical and histopathological EAE in Lewis rats, with greater effect in females.
- Pre-disease stress in mice inhibited EAE signs, but symptoms returned upon stress cessation.
- Stress after EAE establishment had no protective effect; it reduced MBP-specific lymphocytes and both Th1/Th2 cytokine responses.
Conclusions:
- Elevated endogenous neuroendocrine hormones from stress profoundly suppress acute and chronic autoimmune CNS injury.
- Stress timing is critical; pre-disease induction offers protection, while post-induction stress is ineffective.
- Neuroendocrine modulation offers a potential therapeutic avenue for autoimmune CNS disorders.
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