title: Distribution of Foxp3(+) T-regulatory cells in experimental autoimmune neuritis rats.
abstract: T-regulatory cells expressing the forkhead box transcription factor 3 (Foxp3) play essential roles in immune homeostasis. Experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) is an autoantigen-specific T-cell-mediated disease model for human demyelinating inflammatory disease of the peripheral nervous system. We investigated the distribution of Foxp3(+) cells in sciatic nerves, spleen and lymph nodes of EAN rats, and the influence of FTY720 on the localization of Foxp3(+) cells in EAN rats. In sciatic nerves of EAN rats, accumulation of Foxp3(+) cells was not seen during the pre-symptomatic phase (until Day 9) or during early or peak disease activity. In contrast, Foxp3(+) cell accumulation was regularly seen in the recovery from neurologic disease, suggesting a contribution of Foxp3(+) cells to the resolution of EAN. FTY720 was given at onset of EAN (Day 10) until Day 18. Following FTY720 administration, percentages of Foxp3(+) cells in EAN rats were increased in circulating blood, but reduced in lymph nodes compared to the PBS control. FTY720 treatment suppressed total numbers but increased percentages of Foxp3(+) cells in sciatic nerves of EAN rats. These data not only suggests a protective role of Foxp3(+) cells in EAN but also provides a potential way to alter localization of Foxp3(+) cells in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany. zhangzhiren@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Zhiren
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhi-Yuan
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Fauser
authors.forename: Hermann J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Schluesener
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D000068876:Fingolimod Hydrochloride; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009444:Neuritis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D011129:Polyradiculoneuropathy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D013110:Sphingosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; C500522:Foxp3 protein, rat; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011409:Propylene Glycols; D000068876:Fingolimod Hydrochloride; D013110:Sphingosine