title: Semaphorin 7A as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Multiple Sclerosis.
abstract: Semaphorin 7A (sema7A) is classified as an immune semaphorin with dual functions in the immune system and in the central nervous system (CNS). These molecules are of interest due to their potential role in multiple sclerosis (MS), which is a chronic demyelinating and neurodegenerative disease of autoimmune origin. In this study, we elucidated the role of sema7A in neuroinflammation using both in vitro and in vivo experimental models. In an in vitro model of neuroinflammation, using cerebellar organotypic slice cultures, we observed that challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin did not affect demyelination or cell death in sema7A-deficient cultures compared to wild-type cultures. Moreover, the in vivo outcome of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in sema7A-deficient mice was altered in an antigen- and adjuvant-dose-dependent manner, while no differences were observed in the wild-type counterparts. Altogether, these results indicate that sema7A is involved in peripheral immunity and CNS inflammation in MS pathogenesis. Indeed, these data suggest that sema7A might be a potential therapeutic target to treat MS and autoimmune conditions.
authors.affiliation: Servei de Neurologia-Neuroimmunologia, Centre d'Esclerosi Múltiple de Catalunya, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Ps. Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.|Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez-Franco
authors.affiliation: Servei de Neurologia-Neuroimmunologia, Centre d'Esclerosi Múltiple de Catalunya, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Ps. Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.|Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Herena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Eixarch
authors.affiliation: Servei de Neurologia-Neuroimmunologia, Centre d'Esclerosi Múltiple de Catalunya, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Ps. Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.|Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Carme
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Molecular and Cellular Neurobiotechnology, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.|Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.|Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain.|Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gil
authors.affiliation: Servei de Neurologia-Neuroimmunologia, Centre d'Esclerosi Múltiple de Catalunya, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Ps. Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.|Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Mireia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castillo
authors.affiliation: Servei de Neurologia-Neuroimmunologia, Centre d'Esclerosi Múltiple de Catalunya, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Ps. Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.|Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Calvo-Barreiro
authors.affiliation: Servei de Neurologia-Neuroimmunologia, Centre d'Esclerosi Múltiple de Catalunya, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Ps. Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.|Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Montalban
authors.affiliation: Molecular and Cellular Neurobiotechnology, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.|Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.|Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain.|Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Del Río
authors.affiliation: Servei de Neurologia-Neuroimmunologia, Centre d'Esclerosi Múltiple de Catalunya, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Ps. Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain. carmen.espejo@vhir.org.|Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Barcelona, Spain. carmen.espejo@vhir.org.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Espejo
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D007114:Immunization; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008954:Models, Biological; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000378:metabolism; D063308:Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000473:pathology; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D039961:Semaphorins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D015703:Antigens, CD; D063308:Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C485571:Sema7a protein, mouse; D039961:Semaphorins; C445081:myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (35-55)
keywords: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis; Multiple sclerosis; Neurodegeneration; Neuroinflammation; Semaphorin 7A