Ingested (oral) alpha-MSH inhibits acute EAE.
Ingested type I IFN and SIRS peptide administered orally inhibit EAE. We examined whether another immunoactive protein, tridecapeptide alpha-MSH, would have similar anti-inflammatory effects in EAE after oral administration. B6 mice were immunized with MOG peptide 35-55 and gavaged with 0.1 ml of control saline or alpha-MSH peptide starting on day -7 preceding active immunization, and continuing through day +14 post-immunization. Alpha-MSH peptide delayed disease onset and decreased inflammatory foci. CNS lymphocytes showed decreases in Th1-like encephalitogenic cytokines IL-2 and IL12p70 in the alpha-MSH fed group compared to the mock fed group. For Th2-like counter-regulatory cytokines, there were increases in peripheral SDF-1 levels comparing alpha-MSH fed vs mock fed groups. There were decreases of chemokines MIP-1-alpha and MIP-1-gamma in the CNS comparing alpha-MSH fed mice vs mock fed mice. Ingested (orally administered) alpha-MSH peptide can reduce clinical disease and inhibit CNS inflammation by decreasing migration of antigen driven CNS Th1 cells into the target organ.
Department of Neurology, University of Texas-Houston, Health Science Center, 6431 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030, United States. staley.a.brod@uth.tmc.edu
Staley A
SA
Brod
Zachary M
ZM
Hood
D000208:Acute Disease; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018925:Chemokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D063308:Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D018925:Chemokines; D006023:Glycoproteins; D007376:Interleukin-2; D063308:Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C445081:myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (35-55); D018664:Interleukin-12; D000521:alpha-MSH; D007371:Interferon-gamma