scholarly journals Low Dose Naltrexone Treatment of Established Relapsing-Remitting Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

2015 ◽  
Vol 02 (02) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie A Hammer Ian S Zagon
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Naltrexone Treatment ◽  
Low Dose Naltrexone ◽  
Experimental Autoimmune

scholarly journals Featured Article: Modulation of the OGF–OGFr pathway alters cytokine profiles in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 243 (4) ◽  
pp. 361-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D Ludwig ◽  
Ian S Zagon ◽  
Patricia J McLaughlin
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokine ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Opioid Growth Factor ◽  
Low Dose Naltrexone ◽  
Experimental Autoimmune

The endogenous neuropeptide opioid growth factor, chemically termed [Met5]-enkephalin, has growth inhibitory and immunomodulatory properties. Opioid growth factor is distributed widely throughout most tissues, is autocrine and paracrine produced, and interacts at the nuclear-associated receptor, OGFr. Serum levels of opioid growth factor are decreased in patients with multiple sclerosis and in animals with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis suggesting that the OGF-OGFr pathway becomes dysregulated in this disease. This study begins to assess other cytokines that are altered following opioid growth factor or low-dose naltrexone modulation of the OGF-OGFr axis in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis using serum samples collected in mice treated for 10 or 20 days and assayed by a multiplex cytokine assay for inflammatory markers. Cytokines of interest were validated in mice at six days following immunization for experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. In addition, selected cytokines were validated with serum from MS patients treated with low-dose naltrexone alone or low-dose naltrexone in combination with glatiramer acetate (Copaxone®). Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mice had elevated levels of 7 of 10 cytokines. Treatment with opioid growth factor or low-dose naltrexone resulted in elevated expression levels of the IL-6 cytokine, and significantly reduced IL-10 values, relative to saline-treated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mice. TNF-γ values were increased in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mice relative to normal, but were not altered by opioid growth factor or low-dose naltrexone. IFN-γ levels were reduced in opioid growth factor- or low-dose naltrexone-treated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mice relative to saline-treated mice at 10 days, and elevated relative to normal values at 20 days. Validation studies revealed that within six days of immunization, opioid growth factor or low-dose naltrexone modulated IL-6 and IL-10 cytokine expression. Validation in human serum revealed markedly reduced IL-6 cytokine levels in MS patients taking low-dose naltrexone relative to standard care. In summary, modulation of the OGF-OGFr pathway regulates some inflammatory cytokines, and together with opioid growth factor serum levels, may begin to form a panel of valid biomarkers to monitor progression of multiple sclerosis and response to therapy. Impact statement Modulation of the opioid growth factor (OGF)–OGF receptor (OGFr) alters inflammatory cytokine expression in multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Multiplex cytokine assays demonstrated that mice with chronic EAE and treated with either OGF or low-dose naltrexone (LDN) had decreased expression of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 within 10 days or treatment, as well as increased serum expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6, relative to immunized mice receiving saline. Multiplex data were validated using ELISA kits and serum from MS patients treated with LDN and revealed decreased in IL-6 levels in patients taking LDN relative to standard care alone. These data, along with serum levels of OGF, begin to formulate a selective biomarker profile for MS that is easily measured and effective at monitoring disease progression and response to therapy.

scholarly journals Featured Article: Serum [Met5]-enkephalin levels are reduced in multiple sclerosis and restored by low-dose naltrexone

2017 ◽  
Vol 242 (15) ◽  
pp. 1524-1533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D Ludwig ◽  
Ian S Zagon ◽  
Patricia J McLaughlin
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Endogenous Opioids ◽  
Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Opioid Growth Factor ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis Patients ◽  
Low Dose Naltrexone ◽  
Experimental Autoimmune

Low-dose naltrexone is a widely used off-label therapeutic prescribed for a variety of immune-related disorders. The mechanism underlying low-dose naltrexone’s efficacy for fatigue, Crohn’s disease, fibromyalgia, and multiple sclerosis is, in part, intermittent blockade of opioid receptors followed by upregulation of endogenous opioids. Short, intermittent blockade by naltrexone specifically blocks the opioid growth factor receptor resulting in biofeedback events that increase production of the endogenous opioid growth factor (OGF) (chemically termed [Met5]-enkephalin) facilitating interactions between opioid growth factor and opioid growth factor receptor that ultimately, result in inhibited cell proliferation. Preclinical studies have reported that enkephalin levels are deficient in animal models of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Our hypothesis is that serum enkephalin levels are diminished in humans with multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mice, and that change in serum opioid growth factor levels may serve as a reasonable candidate biomarker for the onset of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and response to therapy. To address this, we designed a two-part study to measure endogenous opioids in multiple sclerosis patients, and to investigate the temporal pattern of decline in serum enkephalin concentrations in mice with chronic progressive experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and treated with low-dose naltrexone. For comparison, we investigated whether low-dose naltrexone exposure in normal mice also resulted in altered enkephalin levels. In both animal models, we monitored tactile and heat sensitivity, as well as differential white blood cell counts as indicators of inflammation. Serum [Met5]-enkephalin levels were lower in humans with multiple sclerosis relative to non-multiple sclerosis patients, and low-dose naltrexone restored their levels. In experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mice, [Met5]-enkephalin levels were depressed prior to the appearance of clinical disease, and were restored with low-dose naltrexone treatment. Low-dose naltrexone therapy had no effect on serum [Met5]-enkephalin or β-endorphin in normal mice. Thus, [Met5]-enkephalin (i.e. opioid growth factor) may be a reasonable candidate biomarker for multiple sclerosis, and may signal new pathways for treatment of autoimmune disorders. Impact statement This report presents human and animal data identifying a novel biomarker for the onset and progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). Humans diagnosed with MS have reduced serum levels of OGF (i.e. [Met5]-enkephalin) relative to non-MS neurologic patients, and low-dose naltrexone (LDN) therapy restored their enkephalin levels. Serum OGF levels were reduced in mice immunized with MOG35-55 prior to any clinical behavioral sign of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, and LDN therapy restored their serum OGF levels. β-endorphin concentrations were not altered by LDN in humans or mice. Thus, blood levels of OGF may serve as a new, selective biomarker for the progression of MS, as well as response to therapy.

scholarly journals 4-Ethylguaiacol modulates neuroinflammation and Th1/Th17 differentiation to ameliorate disease severity in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen-Tsan Weng ◽  
Ping-Chang Kuo ◽  
Dennis A. Brown ◽  
Barbara A. Scofield ◽  
Destin Furnas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autoimmune Disease ◽  
Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Disease Progression ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Th17 Differentiation ◽  
Experimental Autoimmune

Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive autoimmune disease characterized by the accumulation of pathogenic inflammatory immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS) that subsequently causes focal inflammation, demyelination, axonal injury, and neuronal damage. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a well-established murine model that mimics the key features of MS. Presently, the dietary consumption of foods rich in phenols has been reported to offer numerous health benefits, including anti-inflammatory activity. One such compound, 4-ethylguaiacol (4-EG), found in various foods, is known to attenuate inflammatory immune responses. However, whether 4-EG exerts anti-inflammatory effects on modulating the CNS inflammatory immune responses remains unknown. Thus, in this study, we assessed the therapeutic effect of 4-EG in EAE using both chronic and relapsing-remitting animal models and investigated the immunomodulatory effects of 4-EG on neuroinflammation and Th1/Th17 differentiation in EAE. Methods Chronic C57BL/6 EAE and relapsing-remitting SJL/J EAE were induced followed by 4-EG treatment. The effects of 4-EG on disease progression, peripheral Th1/Th17 differentiation, CNS Th1/Th17 infiltration, microglia (MG) activation, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption in EAE were evaluated. In addition, the expression of MMP9, MMP3, HO-1, and Nrf2 was assessed in the CNS of C57BL/6 EAE mice. Results Our results showed that 4-EG not only ameliorated disease severity in C57BL/6 chronic EAE but also mitigated disease progression in SJL/J relapsing-remitting EAE. Further investigations of the cellular and molecular mechanisms revealed that 4-EG suppressed MG activation, mitigated BBB disruption, repressed MMP3/MMP9 production, and inhibited Th1 and Th17 infiltration in the CNS of EAE. Furthermore, 4-EG suppressed Th1 and Th17 differentiation in the periphery of EAE and in vitro Th1 and Th17 cultures. Finally, we found 4-EG induced HO-1 expression in the CNS of EAE in vivo as well as in MG, BV2 cells, and macrophages in vitro. Conclusions Our work demonstrates that 4-EG confers protection against autoimmune disease EAE through modulating neuroinflammation and inhibiting Th1 and Th17 differentiation, suggesting 4-EG, a natural compound, could be potentially developed as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of MS/EAE.

scholarly journals Treatment of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis by Sustained Delivery of Low-Dose IFN-α

2019 ◽  
Vol 203 (3) ◽  
pp. 696-704
Author(s):  
Marcos Vasquez ◽  
Marta Consuegra-Fernández ◽  
Fernando Aranda ◽  
Aitor Jimenez ◽  
Shirley Tenesaca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Sustained Delivery ◽  
Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Experimental Autoimmune

scholarly journals The S100B Inhibitor Pentamidine Ameliorates Clinical Score and Neuropathology of Relapsing—Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Mouse Model

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriele Di Sante ◽  
Susanna Amadio ◽  
Beatrice Sampaolese ◽  
Maria Elisabetta Clementi ◽  
Mariagrazia Valentini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Clinical Score ◽  
Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Mouse ◽  
Extracellular Signaling ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Inflammatory Processes ◽  
Experimental Autoimmune

S100B is an astrocytic protein acting either as an intracellular regulator or an extracellular signaling molecule. A direct correlation between increased amount of S100B and demyelination and inflammatory processes has been demonstrated. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible role of a small molecule able to bind and inhibit S100B, pentamidine, in the modulation of disease progression in the relapsing–remitting experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mouse model of multiple sclerosis. By the daily evaluation of clinical scores and neuropathologic-molecular analysis performed in the central nervous system, we observed that pentamidine is able to delay the acute phase of the disease and to inhibit remission, resulting in an amelioration of clinical score when compared with untreated relapsing–remitting experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mice. Moreover, we observed a significant reduction of proinflammatory cytokines expression levels in the brains of treated versus untreated mice, in addition to a reduction of nitric oxide synthase activity. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that the inhibition of S100B was able to modify the neuropathology of the disease, reducing immune infiltrates and partially protecting the brain from the damage. Overall, our results indicate that pentamidine targeting the S100B protein is a novel potential drug to be considered for multiple sclerosis treatment.

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