Regulatory effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide on the balance of Treg and Th17 in collagen-induced arthritis

Cell Immunol. 2010;265(2):105-10. doi: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2010.07.010. Epub 2010 Jul 30.

Abstract

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a well-known anti-inflammatory neuropeptide. The capacity of VIP can be exhibited through inhibiting inflammatory responses, shifting the Th1/Th2 balance in favor of anti-inflammatory Th2 immunity and inducing regulatory T cells (Tregs) with suppressive activity. In addition to pro-inflammatory Th1 response, Th17 are also believed to play important roles in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we used collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model in Wistar rats to investigate the role of VIP in the balance of CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs and Th17 on RA. Data presented here showed that administration of VIP decreased incidence and severity of CIA. Disease suppression was associated with the upregulation of CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs, downregulation of Th17- and Th1-type response and influence on the RANK/RANKL/OPG system. The results provide novel evidence that the therapeutic effects of VIP on CIA rats were associated with the balance of CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs and Th17.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arthritis, Experimental / drug therapy
  • Arthritis, Experimental / immunology*
  • Arthritis, Experimental / metabolism*
  • CD24 Antigen / immunology
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / immunology
  • Osteoprotegerin / immunology
  • Osteoprotegerin / metabolism
  • RANK Ligand / immunology
  • RANK Ligand / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B / immunology
  • Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / metabolism*
  • Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / pharmacology

Substances

  • CD24 Antigen
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit
  • Osteoprotegerin
  • RANK Ligand
  • Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B
  • Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide