Astrocytes play a key role in EAE pathophysiology by orchestrating in the CNS the inflammatory response of resident and peripheral immune cells and by suppressing remyelination.

Abstract

Astrocytes respond to insult with a process of cellular activation known as reactive astrogliosis. One of the key signals regulating this phenomenon is the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), which is responsible for modulating inflammation, cell survival, and cell death. In astrocytes, following trauma or disease, the expression of NF-κB-dependent genes is highly activated. We previously demonstrated that inactivation of astroglial NF-κB in vivo (GFAP-IκBα-dn mice) leads to improved functional outcome in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), and this is accompanied by reduction of pro-inflammatory gene expression in the CNS. Here we extend our studies to show that recovery from EAE in GFAP-IκBα-dn mice is associated with reduction of peripheral immune cell infiltration into the CNS at the chronic phase of EAE. This is not dependent on a less permeable blood-brain barrier, but rather on a reduced immune cell mobilization from the periphery. Furthermore, once inside the CNS, the ability of T cells to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines is diminished during acute disease. In parallel, we found that the number of total and activated microglial cells is reduced, suggesting that functional improvement in GFAP-IκBα-dn mice is dependent upon reduction of the overall inflammatory response within the CNS sustained by both resident and infiltrating cells. This results in preservation of myelin compaction and enhanced remyelination, as shown by electron microscopy analysis of the spinal cord. Collectively our data indicate that astrocytes are key players in driving CNS inflammation and are directly implicated in the pathophysiology of EAE, since blocking their pro-inflammatory capability results in protection from the disease.

• Authors: Roberta Brambilla, Paul D Morton, Jessica Jopek Ashbaugh, Shaffiat Karmally, Kate Lykke Lambertsen, John R Bethea
• Journal: Glia (Glia) Vol. 62 Issue 3 Pg. 452-67 (Mar 2014) ISSN: 1098-1136 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24357067 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Chemical References

• Claudin-5
• Cytokines
• Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
• I-kappa B Proteins
• Immunoglobulin G
• Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein
• Nfkbia protein, mouse
• Peptide Fragments
• myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (35-55)
• NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha

Topics

• Animals
• Astrocytes (physiology, ultrastructure)
• Central Nervous System (immunology, metabolism)
• Claudin-5 (metabolism)
• Cytokines (metabolism)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental (chemically induced, immunology, physiopathology)
• Gene Expression Regulation (drug effects, immunology)
• Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (genetics, metabolism)
• I-kappa B Proteins (genetics)
• Immunoglobulin G (metabolism)
• Inflammation (etiology, pathology)
• Leukocytes (immunology, metabolism)
• Mice
• Mice, Transgenic
• Microscopy, Electron
• Myelin Sheath (metabolism)
• Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (toxicity)
• NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha
• Peptide Fragments (toxicity)
• Spinal Cord
• T-Lymphocytes (metabolism)