Nurr1 reduction influences the onset of chronic EAE in mice.
OBJECTIVE
Nurr1 plays anti-inflammatory functions in astrocytes/microglia. Gene expression analysis reveals Nurr1 down-regulation in PBMCs of MS patients that negatively correlates with disease aggressiveness. This study assesses the consequences of Nurr1 reduction in a MS model represented by EAE.


METHODS
EAE was induced in heterozygous Nurr1 knockout mice. Clinical course was evaluated during pre-symptomatic, acute, and chronic phases. Neurohistopathological state was analyzed in spinal cord.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurr1 defect induces early EAE onset and increases inflammatory infiltrates in spinal cord suggesting a Nurr1 role in the early phase of EAE.
AOU San Luigi Gonzaga, Neurobiology Unit, Neurologia 2, CReSM (Regional Referring Center of Multiple Sclerosis) and Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), Regione Gonzole, 10, 10043, Orbassano, TO, Italy. francesca.montarolo@unito.it.
Francesca
F
Montarolo
AOU San Luigi Gonzaga, Neurobiology Unit, Neurologia 2, CReSM (Regional Referring Center of Multiple Sclerosis) and Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), Regione Gonzole, 10, 10043, Orbassano, TO, Italy.
Simona
S
Perga
AOU San Luigi Gonzaga, Neurobiology Unit, Neurologia 2, CReSM (Regional Referring Center of Multiple Sclerosis) and Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), Regione Gonzole, 10, 10043, Orbassano, TO, Italy.
Serena
S
Martire
AOU San Luigi Gonzaga, Neurobiology Unit, Neurologia 2, CReSM (Regional Referring Center of Multiple Sclerosis) and Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), Regione Gonzole, 10, 10043, Orbassano, TO, Italy.
Antonio
A
Bertolotto
D000818:Animals; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D057126:Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
C539883:Nr4a2 protein, mouse; D057126:Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2
Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis; Inflammation; Multiple sclerosis; Nurr1