The co-inhibitory molecule PD-1 modulates disease severity in a model for an inherited, demyelinating neuropathy

Neurobiol Dis. 2009 Jan;33(1):96-103. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2008.09.021. Epub 2008 Oct 15.

Abstract

We have previously shown that mice heterozygously deficient for P0 are characterized by a late onset myelin disorder implicating CD8+ T-lymphocytes and macrophages. We now investigated the impact of the co-inhibitory molecule "programmed death" (PD)-1 (CD279), a CD28-related receptor expressed on activated T- and B-lymphocytes on the pathogenic phenotype of CD8+ T-lymphocytes in the P0 myelin mutants. PD-1 deficiency in P0+/- mice leads to a stronger increase of CD8+ T-lymphocytes and a substantially aggravated histological phenotype in the PNS compared to P0+/- mice expressing PD-1. Correspondingly, functional down-stream features, such as electrophysiological parameters, walking coordination and mechano-sensation are more affected than in PD-1-expressing myelin mutants. Our study demonstrates that a monogenic nerve disorder can be substantially modified by immune-controlling mechanisms. Thus, understanding the implication of disease-modifiers in inherited demyelination could be of pivotal interest for limiting the detrimental impact of primarily genetically-mediated myelin disorders by fostering immuno-regulatory pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Surface / metabolism*
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / metabolism*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
  • Chimera
  • Demyelinating Diseases / immunology
  • Demyelinating Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gait Apraxia / physiopathology
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / immunology
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
  • Quadriceps Muscle / innervation
  • Sciatic Nerve / physiopathology
  • Sciatic Nerve / ultrastructure
  • Spinal Nerve Roots / physiopathology
  • Spinal Nerve Roots / ultrastructure
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Touch / physiology

Substances

  • Antigens, Surface
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Pdcd1 protein, mouse
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
  • Interferon-gamma