IFN-gamma plays a critical down-regulatory role in the induction and effector phase of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-induced autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Willenborg, D.O.; Fordham, S.; Bernard, C.C.; Cowden, W.B.; Ramshaw, I.A.
Journal of Immunology 157(8): 3223-3227
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1767 PMID: 8871615 Document Number: 463475
129/Sv mice are resistant to induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide (MOG35-55). Mice of this strain lacking the gene coding for the ligand-binding chain of the IFN-gamma receptor develop EAE with high morbidity and mortality. Spleen cells from sensitized IFN-gammaR-/- mice proliferated extensively when stimulated with MOG peptide in culture and produced high levels of IFN-gamma and TNF but no detectable IL-4. Transfer of spleen cells from sensitized IFN-gammaR-/- mice produced EAE in both IFN-gammaR+/+ and IFN-gammaR-/- recipients. Disease was severe in IFN-gammaR-/- recipients and mortality high (77%). Surviving mice remained moribund until termination of the experiments. IFN-gammaR+/+ recipients developed disease of equal severity, but with no mortality, and recovered significantly. These results indicate that IFN-gamma is not essential for the generation or function of anti-MOG35-55 effector cells but does play an important role in down-regulating EAE at both the effector and induction phase of disease.