Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease causing axonal degeneration and demyelination. Exercise in mice with active monophasic experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) attenuates disease severity associated with diverse impacts on T cell-mediated immunity. However, studies have so far focused on preventive approaches. In this study, we investigated the impact of endurance exercise on established EAE disease in a model of secondary progressive MS. When the exercise program on motorized running wheels was started at disease manifestation, the disease course was significantly ameliorated. This was associated with a significant decrease in B cell, dendritic cell, and neutrophil cell counts in the central nervous system (CNS). Furthermore, we observed an increased expression of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) as well as alterations in costimulatory molecule expression in CNS B cells and dendritic cells. In contrast, T cell responses were not altered in the CNS or periphery. Thus, exercise training is capable of attenuating the disease course even in established secondary progressive EAE, potentially via modulation of the innate immune compartment. Further studies are warranted to corroborate our findings and assess the potential of this lifestyle intervention as a complementary therapeutic strategy in secondary progressive MS patients.
Keywords: autoimmunity; central nervous system; exercise; experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis; lifestyle intervention; multiple sclerosis.