Pertussis Toxin Attenuates Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis by Upregulating Neuronal Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

Department

neurology

Document Type

Article

Abstract

We have reported earlier that pertussis toxin (PTx) attenuates the motor deficits in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for human multiple sclerosis. PTx protects neurons from inflammatory insults. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is also neuroprotective. However, the effect of PTx on VEGF has never been studied. We investigated whether PTx modulates neuronal VEGF expression and how it affects the pathogenesis of EAE. EAE was induced by injecting myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 peptides with adjuvants into C57BL/6 mice. Clinical scores of EAE were evaluated daily for 19 days. Brain and spinal cord samples were collected and assessed for inflammation and demyelination. VEGF, NeuN for neurons, and Caspase-3 for apoptosis were stained for localization using immunohistochemistry techniques, followed by western blot analysis for quantification. Primary neurons were cultured to assess the direct effect of PTx on neuronal VEGF expression. PTx treatment increases neuronal VEGF expression by up to ˆ¼75% in vitro and ˆ¼60% in vivo, preventing neurons from apoptosis. This leads to resolution in inflammation and remyelination and amendment in motor deficits. Our findings suggest that upregulation of endogenous neuronal VEGF by PTx protects motor deficits in EAE and it is a potential therapeutic option for multiple sclerosis.

Medical Subject Headings

neurology

Publication Date

2013

Publication Title

NeuroReport

ISSN

0959-4965

Volume

24

Issue

9

First Page

469

Last Page

475

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1097/WNR.0b013e3283619fc8

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