Gpr97/Adgrg3 ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by regulating cytokine expression

Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai). 2018 Jul 1;50(7):666-675. doi: 10.1093/abbs/gmy060.

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis and its primary animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), are inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by immune-mediated demyelination and neurodegeneration that may be mediated by inhibition of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Gpr97, encoded by Adgrg3, has been reported to regulate the activity of NF-κB. In this study, using a previously established Adgrg3-knockout mouse model, we investigated the roles of Gpr97 in the development of autoimmune CNS disease in mice. We found a marked increase in the expression of Adgrg3 in spinal cords of mice with EAE. Adgrg3-deficient (Adgrg3-/-) mice with EAE exhibited increases in peak severity and the cumulative disease score compared with littermate controls, followed by a notable increase of leukocyte infiltration and more extensive demyelination. The percentages of Th1/Th17 cells in the CNS were significantly increased in Adgrg3-/- mice and accompanied by high levels of interleukin (IL)-6, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-17. An in vitro culture assay verified that Gpr97 regulated proinflammatory cytokine production. Taken together, our results show that Gpr97 plays an important role in the development of EAE and may have a therapeutic potential for the treatment of CNS autoimmunity.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Central Nervous System / immunology*
  • Central Nervous System / metabolism
  • Central Nervous System / pathology
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / immunology*
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / genetics
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / immunology*
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / metabolism
  • Female
  • Interferon-gamma / genetics
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Interleukin-17 / genetics
  • Interleukin-17 / immunology
  • Interleukin-17 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics
  • Interleukin-6 / immunology
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Mice, 129 Strain
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / immunology*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism
  • Th1 Cells / immunology
  • Th1 Cells / metabolism
  • Th1 Cells / pathology
  • Th17 Cells / immunology
  • Th17 Cells / metabolism
  • Th17 Cells / pathology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Adgrg3 protein, mouse
  • Cytokines
  • IL17A protein, human
  • Interleukin-17
  • Interleukin-6
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Interferon-gamma