title: Molecular Mechanisms of the Action of Vitamin A in Th17/Treg Axis in Multiple Sclerosis.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoinflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS). The immunopathogenesis of this disease involves an impaired balance of T helper (Th) 17 cells and regulatory T (Tregs) cells. MS is an autoinflammatory disease characterized by the degeneration of the CNS. For many years, MS has been considered to be an autoreactive Th1 and Th17 cell-dominated disease. The activity and number of Th17 cells are increased in MS; however, the function and number of Treg cells are reduced. Therefore, in MS, the balance between Th17 cells and Treg cells is impaired. Th17 cells produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, which play a role in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and MS. However, Treg cell-mediated production of cytokines maintains immune homeostasis and can ameliorate the progression of MS. These observations, therefore, confirm the pathogenic and protective role of Th17 and Treg cells, respectively, and highlight the importance of maintaining the balance of both of these cell types. Evidence suggests that vitamin A and its active metabolites (all-trans-retinoic acid and 9-cis-retinoic acid) modulate the imbalance of Th17 and Treg cells through multiple molecular pathways and can be considered as a promising target in the prevention and treatment of MS.
authors: Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Mina
authors: M
authors: Abdolahi
authors: Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Parvaneh
authors: P
authors: Yavari
authors: Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Niyaz Mohammadzadeh
authors: NM
authors: Honarvar
authors: Iranian Centre of Neurological Research, Department of Neurology, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Sama
authors: S
authors: Bitarafan
authors: Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Maryam
authors: M
authors: Mahmoudi
authors: Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. asaboor@tums.ac.ir.|Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. asaboor@tums.ac.ir.
authors: Ali Akbar
authors: AA
authors: Saboor-Yaraghi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects*; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D014815:Vitamins; D014801:Vitamin A
keywords: Multiple sclerosis; Regulatory T cell; T helper 17 cell; Vitamin A