Vitamins a and D Enhance the Expression of Ror-γ-Targeting MiRNAs in a Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Autoreactive T cells including cells with a Th17 phenotype are critical players in MS pathogenesis. In this study, we investigated the effects of VitA/D on miRNAs expression involved in Th17 development neuroinflammation using (EAE). Methods: EAE was induced in C57BL/6 mice and received IP injections of vitamins A, D or their combination starting one day before the immunization and continued every other day for 30 days. Animals were scored for 30 days. Percentages of Th17 cells were measured in splenocytes following in vitro re-stimulation with MOG using intracellular staining and flow cytometry. Expression of miR-98-5p and Let-7a-5p, two miRNAs that are known to target Ror-t and Ror-t was measured in MOG-stimulated splenocytes as well as in spinal cord tissues using real-time RT-PCR. Results: Treated mice showed decreased frequency of Th17 cells in their spleens following in vitro re-stimulation with antigen, also lower expression of IL17 and Ror-t in their in CNS and splenocytes. Vitamin A and vitamin D-treated splenocytes showed significant upregulation of miR-98-5p in 24 hour and 48 hours time-points and Let-7a-5p expression was induced at 48-hour post-treatment in MOG-treated cells, which showed a strong negative correlation with splenocyte Ror-t levels. Conclusion: Our data suggest that treatment with vitamins A and D can decreased differentiation of Th17 phenotype. This is likely due to upregulation of Ror-t-targeting miRNAs, miR-98-5p and Let-7a-5p following treatment. These findings point to a potential protective role for miRNAs in the context of autoimmune neuroinflammation.

New Epidermal-Growth-Factor-Related Insights Into the Pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis: Is It Also Epistemology?

Recent findings showing that epidermal growth factor (EGF) is significantly decreased in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and spinal cord (SC) of living or deceased multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, and that its repeated administration to rodents with chemically- or virally-induced demyelination of the central nervous system (CNS) or experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) prevents demyelination and inflammatory reactions in the CNS, have led to a critical reassessment of the MS pathogenesis, partly because EGF is considered to have little or no role in immunology. EGF is the only myelinotrophic factor that has been tested in the CSF and spinal cord of MS patients, and it has been shown there is a good correspondence between liquid and tissue levels. This review: (a) briefly summarises the positive EGF effects on neural stem cells, oligodendrocyte cell lineage, and astrocytes in order to explain, at least in part, the biological basis of the myelin loss and remyelination failure in MS; and (b) after a short analysis of the evolution of the principle of cause-effect in the history of Western philosophy, highlights the lack of any experimental immune-, toxin-, or virus-mediated model that precisely reproduces the histopathological features and “clinical” symptoms of MS, thus underlining the inapplicability of Claude Bernard's crucial sequence of “observation, hypothesis, and hypothesis testing.” This is followed by a discussion of most of the putative non-immunologically-linked points of MS pathogenesis (abnormalities in myelinotrophic factor CSF levels, oligodendrocytes (ODCs), astrocytes, extracellular matrix, and epigenetics) on the basis of Popper's falsification principle, and the suggestion that autoimmunity and phologosis reactions (surely the most devasting consequences of the disease) are probably the last links in a chain of events that trigger the reactions. As it is likely that there is a lack of other myelinotrophic growth factors because myelinogenesis is controlled by various CNS and extra-CNS growth factors and other molecules within and outside ODCs, further studies are needed to investigate the role of non-immunological molecules at the time of the onset of the disease. In the words of Galilei, the human mind should be prepared to understand what nature has created.

Integration of Genetic and Immune Infiltration Insights into Data Mining of Multiple Sclerosis Pathogenesis

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. MS pathogenesis is closely related to the environment, genetic, and immune system, but the underlying interactions have not been clearly elucidated. This study aims to unveil the genetic basis and immune landscape of MS pathogenesis with bioinformatics.Methods:Gene matrix wasretrieved from the gene expression database NCBI GEO. Then, bioinformatics was used to standardize the samples and obtain differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The protein-protein interaction network was constructed with DEGs on the STRING website. Cytohubbaplug-in and MCODE plug-in were used to mine hub genes. Meanwhile, the CIBERSORTX algorithm was used to explore the characteristics of immune cellinfiltration in MS brain tissues. Spearman correlation analysis was performed between genes and immune cells, and the correlation between genes and different types of brain tissues was also analyzed using the WGCNA method.Results:A total of 90 samples from 2 datasetswere included, and 882 DEGs and 10 hub genes closely related to MS were extracted. Functional enrichment analysis suggested the roleof immune response in MS. Besides,CIBERSORTX algorithm results showed that MS brain tissuescontained a variety of infiltrating immune cells. Correlation analysis suggested that the hub genes were highly relevant to chronic active white matter lesions.Certain hub genes played a role in the activation of immune cells such as macrophages and natural killer cells.Conclusions: Our study shall provideguidance for the further study of the genetic basis and immune infiltration mechanism of MS.

Safety and Efficacy of Eculizumab Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Series

(1) Background: Complement system activation has been proposed as one of the different factors that contribute to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis. In this study, we aimed to describe the potential effects of eculizumab, an anticomplement therapy, on MS disease activity in a cohort of relapsing–remitting (RR) MS patients who discontinued IFN-β therapy due to IFN-β-related thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) onset. (2) Methods: In this retrospective observational multicentric study, we searched for all patients with MS treated by eculizumab with a survey of several nephrological and neurological centers (over 45 centers). (3) Results: Nine patients were included. The mean follow-up time under eculizumab was 3.72 ± 2.58 years. There were no significant differences in disease activity (EDSS, relapses, new T2, and/or Gd-enhancing lesions at MRI) considering the two years before and after eculizumab therapy. No adverse events potentially related to eculizumab therapy were reported during follow-up. (4) Conclusions: In this preliminary study, we described a good safety profile for eculizumab therapy in MS. However, the available data are not sufficient to make firm conclusions about the possible efficacy of eculizumab as a disease-modifying therapy for MS patients.

The Immune Response in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune, inflammatory, and neurodegenerative disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). MS is characterized by immune dysregulation, which results in the infiltration of the CNS by immune cells, triggering demyelination, axonal damage, and neurodegeneration. Although the exact causes of MS are not fully understood, genetic and environmental factors are thought to control MS onset and progression. In this article, we review the main immunological mechanisms involved in MS pathogenesis. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Pathology: Mechanisms of Disease, Volume 17 is January 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Non-coding RNAs in the Pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an early onset chronic neurological condition in adults characterized by inflammation, demyelination, gliosis, and axonal loss in the central nervous system. The pathological cause of MS is complex and includes both genetic and environmental factors. Non-protein-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), specifically miRNAs and lncRNAs, are important regulators of various biological processes. Over the past decade, many studies have investigated both miRNAs and lncRNAs in patients with MS. Since then, insightful knowledge has been gained in this field. Here, we review the role of miRNAs and lncRNAs in MS pathogenesis and discuss their implications for diagnosis and treatment.

Oligoclonal IgGs against DNA, Histones, and Myelin Basic Protein in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is known as a chronic demyelinating pathology of the central nervous system. The most accepted MS pathogenesis theory assigns the main role to demyelination of myelin-proteolipid shells due to inflammationrelated with autoimmune reactions. One of the features of MS patients is the enhanced synthesis of oligoclonal IgGs in the bone marrow Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF). By antigen-specific immunoblotting after isoelectrofocusing of IgGs, oligoclonal IgGs in CSF of MS patients were revealed only against the components of Epstein-Barr virus and Chlamydia. However, there was still unknown to which human auto-antigens in MS patients oligoclonal IgGs may be produced. Here it was first shown that in the CSF of a narrow percentage of MS patients, oligoclonal IgGs are produced against their own antigens: DNA (24% patients), histones (20%), and myelin basic protein (12%). At the same time, the CSF of MS patients contains a very large amount of auto-IgGs-abzymes that hydrolyze DNA, histones, and myelin basic protein, which during isofocusing, are distributed throughout the gel from pH 3 to 10. It is concluded that these multiple IgGs-abzymes, which are dangerous to humans since stimulate development of MS, in the main are non-oligoclonal antibodies.

Isoflavone diet ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis through modulation of gut bacteria depleted in patients with multiple sclerosis

The gut microbiota is a potential environmental factor that influences the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). We and others have demonstrated that patients with MS and healthy individuals have distinct gut microbiomes. However, the pathogenic relevance of these differences remains unclear. Previously, we showed that bacteria that metabolize isoflavones are less abundant in patients with MS, suggesting that isoflavone-metabolizing bacteria might provide protection against MS. Here, using a mouse model of MS, we report that an isoflavone diet provides protection against disease, which is dependent on the presence of isoflavone-metabolizing bacteria and their metabolite equol. Notably, the composition of the gut microbiome in mice fed an isoflavone diet exhibited parallels to healthy human donors, whereas the composition in those fed an isoflavone-free diet exhibited parallels to patients with MS. Collectively, our study provides evidence that dietary-induced gut microbial changes alleviate disease severity and may contribute to MS pathogenesis.

Microglial CX3CR1I249/M280 variant limits neurogenesis and remyelination in cuprizone-induced multiple sclerosis model

Microglia have been implicated in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis. The fractalkine receptor CX3CR1 regulates the activation of pathogenic microglia in models of MS and the human polymorphic CX3CR1I249/M280 (hCX3CR1I249/M280) variant increases MS disease progression. However, the role of hCX3CR1I249/M280 on microglial activation and central nervous system repair and regenerative mechanisms remain unknown. Therefore, using transgenic mice expressing the hCX3CR1I249/M280 variant, we aimed to determine the contribution of defective CX3CR1 signaling to remyelination and neurogenesis in the cuprizone model of focal demyelination. Here, we report that mice expressing hCX3CR1I249/M280 exhibit marked demyelination and microgliosis follow acute cuprizone treatment. Cuprizone-treated CX3CR1-deficient and fractalkine-deficient mice displayed a comparable phenotype. Nanostring gene expression analysis in demyelinated lesions showed that hCX3CR1I249/M280 upregulates genes associated with inflammation, oxidative stress and disease-associated microglia. In addition, gene expression analysis in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the hippocampus in hCX3CR1I249/M280 mice was associated with a significant downregulation of gene networks linked to neurogenesis following acute demyelination. Confocal microscopy showed that hCX3CR1I249/M280 or loss of CX3CR1 signaling inhibits the generation of progeny from the neurogenic niche, including cells involved in myelin repair. These results provide evidence for the pathogenic capacity of hCX3CR1I249/M280 on microglia dysfunction and therapeutic targeting of CX3CR1 to promote CNS repair in MS.

Human Endogenous Retrovirus Type W Envelope from Multiple Sclerosis Demyelinating Lesions Shows Unique Solubility and Antigenic Characteristics

In multiple sclerosis (MS), human endogenous retrovirus W family (HERV-W) envelope protein, pHERV-W ENV, limits remyelination and induces microglia-mediated neurodegeneration. To better understand its role, we examined the soluble pHERV-W antigen from MS brain lesions detected by specific antibodies. Physico-chemical and antigenic characteristics confirmed differences between pHERV-W ENV and syncytin-1. pHERV-W ENV monomers and trimers remained associated with membranes, while hexamers self-assembled from monomers into a soluble macrostructure involving sulfatides in MS brain. Extracellular hexamers are stabilized by internal hydrophobic bonds and external hydrophilic moieties. HERV-W studies in MS also suggest that this diffusible antigen may correspond to a previously described high-molecular-weight neurotoxic factor secreted by MS B-cells and thus represents a major agonist in MS pathogenesis. Adapted methods are now needed to identify encoding HERV provirus(es) in affected cells DNA. The properties and origin of MS brain pHERV-W ENV soluble antigen will allow a better understanding of the role of HERVs in MS pathogenesis. The present results anyhow pave the way to an accurate detection of the different forms of pHERV-W ENV antigen with appropriate conditions that remained unseen until now.