Progesterone treatment reduces disease severity and increases IL-10 in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
Ovarian hormones, including progesterone, are known to have immunomodulatory and neuroprotective effects which may alter the disease course of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In the current study, we examined the treatment potential of progesterone beginning at the onset of EAE symptoms. Progesterone treated animals showed reduced peak disease scores and cumulative disease indices, and decreased inflammatory cytokine secretion (IL-2 and IL-17). In addition, increased production of IL-10 was accompanied by increased numbers of CD19+ cells and an increase in CD8+ cells. Decreased chemokine and chemokine receptor expression in the spinal cord also contributed to decreased lesions in the spinal cord.
Neuroimmunology Research, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR, United States.
M A
MA
Yates
Y
Y
Li
P
P
Chlebeck
T
T
Proctor
A A
AA
Vandenbark
H
H
Offner
D000818:Animals; D018941:Antigens, CD19 / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D018925:Chemokines / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011372:Progestins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D018941:Antigens, CD19; D015415:Biomarkers; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D018925:Chemokines; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D020381:Interleukin-17; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011372:Progestins; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine; D016753:Interleukin-10; D011374:Progesterone