RORγt-expressing cells attenuate cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction

The effect of anti-CD20 on inflammation and histopathological alternations in rat photothrombotic ischemic stroke model

Ischemic stroke (IS) has remained the main cause of mortality and neurological disabilities worldwide. Anti-CD20 treatments have a potent anti-inflammatory effect. Here, we investigated the effect of anti-CD20 on IS-induced inflammation and histopathologic changes in the rat model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: control, sham, and stroke. Rats in the stroke groups underwent photothrombosis-induced IS in the sensorimotor cortex area. They were divided into the following subgroups: treated with anti-CD20 after ischemia and killed after 5 and/or 10 days of IS. Histological changes were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. mRNA levels of inflammation markers (VIM, ANXA3, SLC22 A4, and ADM), and also levels of transcription factors for Th1, Th2, and Th17 subsets (Tbet, GATA3, and ROR-γ, respectively), and also Foxp3 were detected in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells by quantitative real-time PCR. The levels of ADM and SLC22 A4 increased following IS on the 5th and 10th days, while treatment with anti-CD20 reversed their levels. Anti-CD20 therapy attenuated inflammation through down-regulation of VIM and ANXA3 after 10 days. This therapeutic effect was mainly mediated by the downregulation of Th1-Th17-driven inflammatory responses (Tbet and RORγt) and the upregulation of Th2 activities (GATA- 3). In addition, anti-CD20 increased the expression of Foxp3. Anti-CD20 treatment can also reduce brain tissue damage after 10 days. Our data showed that inflammation and histopathological alterations are associated with the photothrombotic model of IS, while treatment with anti-CD20 could reduce inflammation and alleviate histopathological changes.

Involvement of microRNA-155 in the mechanism of electroacupuncture treatment effects on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative and demyelinating autoimmune disease mediated by autoreactive T cells that affects the central nervous system (CNS). Electroacupuncture (EA) has emerged as an alternative or supplemental treatment for MS, but the mechanism by which EA may alleviate MS symptoms is unresolved. Here, we examined the effects of EA at the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint on mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the predominant animal model of MS. The effects of EA on EAE emergence, inflammatory cell levels, proinflammatory cytokines, and spinal cord pathology were examined. EA treatment attenuated the EAE clinical score and associated spinal cord demyelination, while reducing the presence of proinflammatory cytokines in mononuclear cells (MNCs), downregulating microRNA (miR)-155, and upregulating the opioid peptide precursor proopiomelanocortin (POMC) in the CNS. Experiments in which cultured neurons were transfected with a miR-155 mimic or a miR-155 inhibitor further showed that the direct modulation of miR-155 levels could regulate POMC levels in neurons. In conclusion, the alleviation of EAE by EA is characterized by reduced proportions of Th1/Th17 cells and increased proportions of Th2 cells, POMC upregulation, and miR-155 downregulation, while miR-155 itself can suppress POMC expression. These results, support the hypothesis that the effects of EA on EAE may involve the downregulation of miR-155.