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Biomedical subjects

Cedric S Raine

Publications and source records attributed to Cedric S Raine.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Interleukin-11 potentiates oligodendrocyte survival and maturation, and myelin formation.

Mechanisms that regulate oligodendrocyte survival and myelin formation are an intense focus of research into myelin repair in the lesions of multiple sclerosis (MS). Although demyelination and oligodendrocyte loss are pathological hallmarks of the disease, increased oligodendrocyte numbers and remyelination are frequently observed in early lesions, but these diminish as the disease course progresses. In the current study, we used a microarray-based approach to investigate genes regulating repair in MS lesions, and identified interleukin-11 (IL-11) as an astrocyte-derived factor that potentiates oligodendrocyte survival and maturation, and myelin formation. IL-11 was induced in human astrocyte cultures by the cytokines IL-1beta and TGFbeta1, which are both prominently expressed in MS plaques. In MS tissue samples, IL-11 was expressed by reactive astrocytes, with expression particularly localized at the myelinated border of both active and silent lesions. Its receptor, IL-11R alpha, was expressed by oligodendrocytes. In experiments in human cultures in vitro, IL-11R alpha localized to immature oligodendrocytes, and its expression decreased during maturation. In cultures treated with IL-11, we observed a significant increase in oligodendrocyte number, and this was associated with enhanced oligodendrocyte survival and maturation. Importantly, we also found that IL-11 treatment was associated with significantly increased myelin formation in rodent CNS cocultures. These data are the first to implicate IL-11 in oligodendrocyte viability, maturation, and myelination. We suggest that this pathway may represent a potential therapeutic target for oligodendrocyte protection and remyelination in MS.

Animals↗

A novel model of demyelinating encephalomyelitis induced by monocytes and dendritic cells.

Local inflammation may be a precipitating event in autoimmune processes. In this study, we demonstrate that regulated influx of monocytes and dendritic cells (DC) into the CNS causes an acute neurological syndrome that results in a demyelinating encephalomyelitis. Expansion of monocytes and DC by conditional expression of Flt3 ligand in animals expressing CCL2 in the CNS promoted parenchymal cell infiltration and ascending paralysis in 100% of the mice within 9 days of Flt3 ligand induction. Depletion of circulating monocytes and DC reduced disease incidence and severity. Unlike the classical models of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, depletion of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells did not affect disease induction. T cells and demyelinating lesions were observed in the CNS at a later stage as a result of organ-specific inflammation. We propose that alterations in the numbers or function of monocytes and DC coupled to dysregulated expression of chemokines in the neural tissues, favors development of CNS autoimmune disease.

Acute Disease↗

IL-1beta regulates blood-brain barrier permeability via reactivation of the hypoxia-angiogenesis program.

Loss of blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity is believed to be an early and significant event in lesion pathogenesis in the inflammatory demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis (MS), and understanding mechanisms involved may lead to novel therapeutic avenues for this disorder. Well-differentiated endothelium forms the basis of the BBB, while astrocytes control the balance between barrier stability and permeability via production of factors that restrict or promote vessel plasticity. In this study, we report that the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1beta, which is prominently expressed in active MS lesions, causes a shift in the expression of these factors to favor plasticity and permeability. The transcription factor, hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), plays a significant role in this switch. Using a microarray-based approach, we found that in human astrocytes, IL-1beta induced the expression of genes favoring vessel plasticity, including HIF-1alpha and its target, vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A). Demonstrating relevance to MS, we showed that HIF-1alpha and VEGF-A were expressed by reactive astrocytes in active MS lesions, while the VEGF receptor VEGFR2/flk-1 localized to endothelium and IL-1 to microglia/macrophages. Suggesting functional significance, we found that expression of IL-1beta in the brain induced astrocytic expression of HIF-1alpha, VEGF-A, and BBB permeability. In addition, we confirmed VEGF-A to be a potent inducer of BBB permeability and angiogenesis, and demonstrated the importance of IL-1beta-induced HIF-1alpha in its regulation. These results suggest that IL-1beta contributes to BBB permeability in MS via reactivation of the HIF-VEGF axis. This pathway may represent a potential therapeutic target to restrict lesion formation.

Astrocytes↗

A role for CXCL12 (SDF-1alpha) in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis: regulation of CXCL12 expression in astrocytes by soluble myelin basic protein.

The pathogenic mechanisms that contribute to multiple sclerosis (MS) include leukocyte chemotaxis into the central nervous system (CNS) and the production of inflammatory mediators, resulting in oligodendrocyte damage, demyelination, and neuronal injury. Thus, factors that regulate leukocyte entry may contribute to early events in MS, as well as to later stages of lesion pathogenesis. CXCL12 (SDF-1alpha), a chemokine essential in CNS development and a chemoattractant for resting and activated T cells, as well as monocytes, is constitutively expressed at low levels in the CNS and has been implicated in T cell and monocyte baseline trafficking. To determine whether CXCL12 is increased in MS, immunohistochemical analyses of lesions of chronic active and chronic silent MS were performed. CXCL12 protein was detected on endothelial cells (EC) in blood vessels within normal human brain sections and on a small number of astrocytes within the brain parenchyma. In active MS lesions, CXCL12 levels were high on astrocytes throughout lesion areas and on some monocytes/macrophages within vessels and perivascular cuffs, with lesser staining on EC. In silent MS lesions, CXCL12 staining was less than that observed in active MS lesions, and also was detected on EC and astrocytes, particularly hypertrophic astrocytes near the lesion edge. Experiments in vitro demonstrated that IL-1beta and myelin basic protein (MBP) induced CXCL12 in astrocytes by signaling pathways involving ERK and PI3-K. Human umbilical vein EC did not produce CXCL12 after treatment with MBP or IL-1beta. However, these EC cultures expressed CXCR4, the receptor for CXCL12, suggesting that this chemokine may activate EC to produce other mediators involved in MS. In agreement, EC treatment with CXCL12 was found to upregulate CCL2 (MCP-1) and CXCL8 (IL-8) by PI3-K and p38-dependent mechanisms. Our findings suggest that increased CXCL12 may initiate and augment the inflammatory response during MS.

Adolescent↗

Co-expression of PDGF alpha receptor and NG2 by oligodendrocyte precursors in human CNS and multiple sclerosis lesions.

Following inflammatory demyelination in multiple sclerosis (MS), partial remyelination occurs. Studies in rodents have indicated that oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are responsible for this remyelination. Rodent OPCs are identified in situ with antibodies against platelet-derived growth factor alpha receptor (PDGFalphaR) and NG2 chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan. In human CNS tissue, studies of NG2 and PDGFalphaR expression are limited and controversy exists as to whether these molecules are specific OPC markers. This study has investigated whether PDGFalphaR and NG2 are co-expressed on OPCs in human CNS, and whether OPCs are associated with remyelination in MS. MS brain tissue was examined for PDGFalphaR and NG2 immunoreactivity and for expression of NG2 mRNA by in situ hybridisation. Putative OPCs, expressing both NG2 and PDGFalphaR, were present within normal-appearing white matter and within areas of active demyelination in MS, but not in chronic silent lesions. They were also seen in association with remyelination in MS tissue and with developmental myelination in human spinal cord. NG2+ cells that did not express PDGFalphaR were also detected. Given their lack of reactivity with microglial or astrocyte markers, these NG2+/PDGFalphaR- cells probably represented more mature OPCs that had lost PDGFalphaR expression. The distribution of OPCs observed in this study strongly suggests these cells are potential sources of remyelinating oligodendrocytes in active lesions in MS.

Antigens↗

Brain-derived heat shock protein 70-peptide complexes induce NK cell-dependent tolerance to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Heat shock proteins (Hsp) are markedly up-regulated at sites of inflammation during autoimmune diseases like experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In this study, we show that Hsp70-peptide complexes (pc) isolated from brains of mice with EAE prevented the development of EAE clinically and pathologically when administered before proteolipid protein 139-151 (PLP139-151) immunization. In contrast, pure Hsp70 or Hsp70-pc derived from brains of healthy mice or other inflamed tissue did not modulate the expression of EAE. In animals in which EAE had been suppressed by Hsp70-pc, lymphocytes showed increased cell death in response to PLP139-151 that correlated with elevated IFN-gamma and NO production. Coculture of spleen cells from Hsp70-pc immunized mice with spleen cells from untreated EAE mice, in addition to depletion experiments, showed that NK cells reduced reactivity to PLP139-151. Transfer of NK cells from Hsp70-pc-immunized mice to recipients sensitized for EAE abolished disease development. Thus, we propose that Hsp70 demonstrate the ability to bind to peptides generated during brain inflammation and to induce a regulatory NK cell population that is capable of preventing subsequent autoimmunization for EAE.

Animals↗

The endocannabinoid anandamide protects neurons during CNS inflammation by induction of MKP-1 in microglial cells.

Endocannabinoids are released after brain injury and believed to attenuate neuronal damage by binding to CB(1) receptors and protecting against excitotoxicity. Such excitotoxic brain lesions initially result in primary destruction of brain parenchyma, which attracts macrophages and microglia. These inflammatory cells release toxic cytokines and free radicals, resulting in secondary neuronal damage. In this study, we show that the endocannabinoid system is highly activated during CNS inflammation and that the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) protects neurons from inflammatory damage by CB(1/2) receptor-mediated rapid induction of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) in microglial cells associated with histone H3 phoshorylation of the mkp-1 gene sequence. As a result, AEA-induced rapid MKP-1 expression switches off MAPK signal transduction in microglial cells activated by stimulation of pattern recognition receptors. The release of AEA in injured CNS tissue might therefore represent a new mechanism of neuro-immune communication during CNS injury, which controls and limits immune response after primary CNS damage.

Adult↗

Role for CXCR2 and CXCL1 on glia in multiple sclerosis.

As part of a need to understand myelin repair mechanisms, molecular pathways underlying oligodendrocyte behavior and central nervous system (CNS) remyelination are currently key topics in multiple sclerosis (MS). In the present study, we report expression of a chemoattractant receptor of the immune system, the chemokine receptor, CXCR2, on normal and proliferating oligodendrocytes in active MS lesions. Proliferating oligodendrocytes were occasionally associated with reactive astrocytes positive for CXCL1 (GRO-alpha), the ligand for CXCR2. CXCL1 expression was not seen on astrocytes in control and normal CNS tissue, while CXCR2 expression was constitutive on oligodendrocytes. At the functional level, following stimulation with the proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), we found high-level synthesis of CXCL1 by human fetal astrocytes in vitro. In contrast, human oligodendrocytes in culture expressed the receptor, CXCR2, constitutively. We propose that the concurrence of CXCR2 on oligodendrocytes and induced CXCL1 on hypertrophic astrocytes in MS provides a novel mechanism for recruitment of oligodendrocytes to areas of damage, an essential prerequisite for lesion repair in this devastating human condition.

Astrocytes↗

Semaphorin 7A is a negative regulator of T cell responses.

Semaphorins play an essential role in axonal guidance, and emerging evidence points to diverse functions of several Semaphorin family members in the immune system. Semaphorin 7A (Sema7A) promotes axonal growth in the central nervous system. Here, we show that Sema7A also plays a critical role in negative regulation of T cell activation and function. T cells deficient in Sema7A exhibit enhanced homeostatic and antigen-induced proliferative response. Moreover, autoreactive Sema7A-deficient T cells mediate aggressive autoimmune disease. The deficiency in Sema7A leads to defective TCR downmodulation and T cell hyperresponsiveness. These results demonstrate an important role of Sema7A in limiting autoimmune responses and add to growing evidence of shared signaling pathways used by the immune and nervous systems.

Adoptive Transfer↗

Inhibition of Notch signaling enhances tissue repair in an animal model of multiple sclerosis.

Oligodendrocytes (OLs) fail to regenerate myelin destroyed by the immune attack in multiple sclerosis (MS) and lesion areas are eventually largely occupied by astrocytic scar tissue. Loss of OLs in MS does not account for the limited myelin repair as lesions contain a considerable number of OL precursor cells (OPC). Activation of the Notch pathway has been shown to provide inhibitory signals for OPC and to hamper their ability to produce myelin during CNS development. Here we show that gamma-secretase inhibition of Notch signaling within OL of CNS of SJL/J mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) significantly enhanced clinical recovery and in the CNS, promoted remyelination and reduced axonal damage. Functional assays confirmed decreased Notch signaling in inhibitor-treated groups. Therefore, gamma-secretase inhibition led to an environment more conducive to myelin repair and axonal survival. Our results suggest that manipulation of the environment associated with Notch activation in the mature CNS provides a promising therapeutic target in MS.

Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases↗

Tumour necrosis factor-induced death of adult human oligodendrocytes is mediated by apoptosis inducing factor.

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-induced death of oligodendrocytes, the cell type targeted in multiple sclerosis, is mediated by TNF receptor p55 (TNFR-p55). The ligation of TNFR-p55 induces several signal transduction pathways; however, the precise mechanism involved in human oligodendrocyte (hOL) death is unknown. We defined that TNF-induced death of hOLs is non-caspase dependent, as evidenced by lack of generation of caspases 8, 1 and 3 active subunits; lack of cleavage of caspases 1 and 3 fluorogenic substrates; and lack of hOL death inhibition by the general caspase inhibitor, ZVAD.FMK. Electrophoresis of TNF-exposed hOL DNA revealed large-scale DNA fragmentation characteristic of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF)-mediated cell death, and co-localization experiments showed that AIF translocation to the nucleus occurred upon exposure to TNF. AIF depletion by an antisense strategy prevented TNF-induced hOL death. These results indicate that TNF-induced death of hOLs is dependent on AIF, information of significance for the design strategies to protect hOLs during immune-mediated demyelination.

Adult↗

CXC chemokine receptors on human oligodendrocytes: implications for multiple sclerosis.

Subsequent to demyelination in multiple sclerosis, myelin repair occurs but, as lesions age, the ability to remyelinate diminishes. Molecular pathways underlying oligodendrocyte behaviour during CNS remyelination remain to be elucidated. In this study, we report for the first time constitutive expression of the CXC/alpha chemokine receptors, CXCR1, CXCR2 and CXCR3, on oligodendrocytes in normal adult human CNS tissue, the levels of which were upregulated in multiple sclerosis and other neurological diseases (OND). In addition, both immature (A2B5+/O4+) and more mature (CNPase+) human oligodendrocytes in vitro expressed the same three receptors. The respective ligands to CXCR1, CXCR2 and CXCR3 [i.e. CXCL8/IL-8, CXCL1/GRO-alpha and CXCL10/IP-10), were absent in CNS tissue from normals and subjects with OND, but were present at high levels on hypertrophic (reactive) astrocytes at the edge of active (but not silent) multiple sclerosis lesions. Astrocytes in vitro could be induced to express chemokines following stimulation with pro-inflammatory cytokines. CXCL8 and CXCL1 production by human astrocytes at both the RNA and protein levels could be induced by interleukin (IL)-1beta, while CXCL10 was induced by both IL-1beta and interferon-gamma. Since these cytokines are integral to inflammatory events occurring at the margins of active multiple sclerosis lesions, their upregulation in these regions may underlie the dynamics of chemokine expression observed herein. The simultaneous expression of different CXC chemokine receptors on oligodendrocytes, and their ligands on astrocytes around multiple sclerosis lesions, may bespeak novel functional roles for these immune system molecules in the recruitment of oligodendrocytes and remyelination.

Adult↗

bHLH transcription factor Olig1 is required to repair demyelinated lesions in the CNS.

Olig1 and Olig2 are closely related basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors that are expressed in myelinating oligodendrocytes and their progenitor cells in the developing central nervous system (CNS). Olig2 is necessary for the specification of oligodendrocytes, but the biological functions of Olig1 during oligodendrocyte lineage development are poorly understood. We show here that Olig1 function in mice is required not to develop the brain but to repair it. Specifically, we demonstrate a genetic requirement for Olig1 in repairing the types of lesions that occur in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Animals↗

Gammadelta T cells enhance the expression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by promoting antigen presentation and IL-12 production.

Using an adoptive transfer model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced by myelin basic protein (MBP)-reactive lymph node cells (LNC), we have shown that depletion of gammadelta T cells from LNC resulted in diminished severity of EAE in recipient mice, both clinically and histopathologically. The reduced potency of gammadelta T cell-depleted LNC to induce EAE correlated with decreased cell proliferation in response to MBP. The gammadelta T cell effect upon the threshold of MBP-induced LNC proliferation and EAE transfer was restored by reconstitution of gammadelta T cells derived from either MBP-immunized or naive mice, indicating that this effect was not Ag specific. The enhancing effect of gammadelta T cells on MBP-induced proliferation and EAE transfer required direct cell-to-cell contact with LNC. The gammadelta T cell effect upon the LNC response to MBP did not involve a change in expression of the costimulatory molecules CD28, CD40L, and CTLA-4 on TCRalphabeta(+) cells, and CD40, CD80, and CD86 on CD19(+) and CD11b(+) cells. However, depletion of gammadelta T cells resulted in significant reduction in IL-12 production by LNC. That gammadelta T cells enhanced the MBP response and severity of adoptive EAE by stimulating IL-12 production was supported by experiments showing that reconstitution of the gammadelta T cell population restored IL-12 production, and that gammadelta T cell depletion-induced effects were reversed by the addition of IL-12. These results suggest a role for gammadelta T cells in the early effector phase of the immune response in EAE.

Animals↗

Effects of complement C5 on apoptosis in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Complement activation is involved in the initiation of Ab-mediated inflammatory demyelination in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). At a sublytic dose, the C5b-9 membrane attack complex protects oligodendrocytes (OLG) from apoptosis. Using C5-deficient (C5-d) mice, we previously showed a dual role for C5: enhancement of inflammatory demyelination in acute EAE, and promotion of remyelination during recovery. In this study, we investigated the role of C5 in apoptosis in myelin-induced EAE. In acute EAE, C5-d and C5-sufficient (C5-s) mice had similar numbers of total apoptotic cells, whereas C5-s had significantly fewer than C5-d during recovery. In addition, although both groups of mice displayed TUNEL(+) OLG, there were significantly fewer in C5-s than in C5-d during both acute EAE and recovery. Gene array and immunostaining of apoptosis-related genes showed that Fas ligand expression was higher in C5-s. In C5-s mice, Fas(+) cells were also higher than in C5-d mice in acute EAE; however, these cells were significantly reduced during recovery. Together, these findings are consistent with the role of C5, possibly by forming the membrane attack complex, in limiting OLG apoptosis in EAE, thus promoting remyelination during recovery.

Acute Disease↗

Multiple sclerosis: cytokine receptors on oligodendrocytes predict innate regulation.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated demyelinating condition in which numerous soluble mediators have been implicated. We have extended the repertoire of cytokines studied in MS tissue by examining interleukin (IL-4), IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-18, interferon (IFNgamma), and their receptors and have compared patterns with those seen in normal subjects and other neurological diseases (OND). Expression was evaluated by immunocytochemistry and Western blots. Remarkably, oligodendrocytes expressed all the cytokine receptors examined, particularly Th2-type, constitutively in normal subjects and upregulated in disease. Microglial cells also expressed cytokine receptors at similar levels. Cytokine expression was invariably a feature of microglial cells, except for IL-10, which was exclusively astrocytic. Oligodendrocytes did not display cytokines, except for low levels of IL-18. Although no pattern was specific for MS, most molecules were upregulated in MS and OND. Downstream JAK/STAT molecules were correspondingly upregulated. Cytokine receptors on oligodendrocytes (and microglia), and their corresponding ligands on microglia (and astrocytes), may implicate paracrine/autocrine regulation and may bespeak innate immunity in the central nervous system.

Adult↗

Microarray gene expression profiling of chronic active and inactive lesions in multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis, a primary autoimmune disease of the central nervous system has been characterized by the presence of the demyelinating lesions (plaques) in the CNS. To further understand the gene transcription status of the two most common lesions, chronic active and chronic inactive, we have performed a cDNA microarray analysis of these two lesion type. Comparative analysis of differential gene expression of chronic active and inactive lesions have confirmed the existence of a significant difference in the transcriptional profiles of these two lesion types in both marginal and central areas. Different sets of genes were highlighted, including genes of inflammatory characteristics, apoptosis related and stress-induced, indicating their potential role in MS pathogenesis.

Brain↗