The expression of IL-2 and IL-4 in CD4(+) T cells from mouse lymph nodes and spleen during HSV-1-induced facial palsy.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is regarded as an important underlying cause of Bell's palsy, but the immunologic mechanism remains unknown. Here, we employed a mouse facial paralysis model to investigate the expressions of CD4(+) T lymphocytes and interleukin (IL)-2 and -4 in the left draining cervical lymph nodes (LCLN) and spleen, as well as the inhibitory effects of glucocorticoids (GCs).

METHODS:

HSV-1 was inoculated into the surface of the posterior auricle to generate the facial paralysis model. The paralyzed mice were divided into three groups; in one group without any treatment, mice were killed at different time points, and those in the other two groups were injected with methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) or with a combination of MPSS and GC receptor blocker (RU486). The expression levels of CD4(+) T lymphocytes and CD4(+)-IL-2(+) and CD4(+)-IL-4(+) cells in the LCLN and spleen were detected by fluorescence-activated cell sorting.

RESULTS:

Expression levels of CD4(+), IL-2, and IL-4 first increased then decreased in LCLN and spleen and peaked 5 and 7 days, respectively, after the manifestation of facial paralysis. All the data at the peak points were significantly different compared with control (p < 0.05), and these effects were inhibited by MPSS.

CONCLUSION:

Our results suggest that CD4(+), IL-2, and IL-4 participate in the HSV-1-induced facial paralysis immune response. MPSS can effectively attenuate HSV-1-mediated nervous system damage, which is associated with its inhibitory effect on expression of these inflammatory markers.

• Authors: Lintao Gu, Yuechen Han, Wenwen Liu, Yanyan Mao, Jianfeng Li, Haibo Wang
• Journal: Inflammation research : official journal of the European Histamine Research Society ... [et al.] (Inflamm Res) Vol. 63 Issue 2 Pg. 117-25 (Feb 2014) ISSN: 1420-908X [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 24281729 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Interleukin-2
• Interleukin-4

Topics

• Animals
• Bell Palsy (immunology)
• CD4 Lymphocyte Count
• CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes (immunology)
• Facial Paralysis (etiology, immunology)
• Herpes Simplex (complications, immunology)
• Herpesvirus 1, Human
• Interleukin-2 (immunology)
• Interleukin-4 (immunology)
• Lymph Nodes (cytology, immunology)
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Spleen (cytology, immunology)