The expression of cytokine mRNA in the cauda equina of Lewis rats with experimental allergic neuritis.
Autoreactive CD4+ T cells can transfer experimental allergic neuritis (EAN) to naive recipients. In order to further analyze the role of these T cells and their corresponding cytokines in EAN, we studied the expression of mRNA for IFN-gamma, IL-4, and IL-10 in the cauda equina of rats with EAN using a quantitative competitive reverse transcriptase PCR method. Nerves were studied on days 0 (pre-immunization), 10 (disease onset), 13 (clinical progression), 16 (disease peak), as well as 20, 24, and 34 post immunization (recovery). IFN-gamma messages increased at disease onset and peaked at day 13 p.i. IL-10 message remained at a very low level at disease onset and surged at day 16. Both messages were low in recovery stage. IL-4 message was undetectable at any time point. These data suggest a pro-inflammatory role of IFN-gamma and anti-inflammatory role of IL-10 in EAN lesions. It is also possible that a clonal switch from Th1 to Th2 occurs in EAN lesions during the disease course.
Fujioka
T
T
Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia 19104-4283, USA.
Jimi
T
T
Hilliard
B A
BA
Ventura
E S
ES
Rostami
A
A
D000199:Actins / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D002420:Cauda Equina / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D009444:Neuritis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew
D000199:Actins; D016207:Cytokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma