Glatiramer acetate treatment inhibits inflammatory responses and improves survival in a mice model of cecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis

Therapeutic effect of systemic use of glatiramer acetate in imiquimod-induced mouse psoriasis model

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic potential of systemic glatiramer acetate (GA), a drug used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), in an imiquimod-induced psoriasis mouse model, given the common immunopathogenic mechanisms between the two diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-four adult female BALB/c mice (16-18 weeks old) were divided into nine groups (6 mice each). A psoriasis-like model was induced in eight groups by application of 5% imiquimod cream for seven days. Systemic treatments included methotrexate (2 mg/kg/week), saline (1 mL/kg/day) and GA at doses ranging from 50 to 100 mcg, administered subcutaneously either during or after the induction phase. Clinical severity was assessed using the modified Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (mPASI), while histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed to assess inflammation and cytokine expression, focusing on TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-17.

RESULTS

The highest mPASI scores were observed in the untreated psoriasis group, whereas the healthy control and mice treated with 50 mcg GA, especially after induction, showed the lowest scores. Statistically significant improvements in histopathological scores were observed (p < 0.05). GA treatment at 50 mcg resulted in the most favourable cytokine profile, with TNF-α and IL-17 levels comparable to the healthy group and a similar trend observed for IL-1β expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Among the doses tested, 50 mcg GA administered after model induction was the most effective in reducing clinical severity and inflammatory cytokine expression. These findings suggest that GA is a promising systemic therapeutic agent for psoriasis.

Sepsis and multiple sclerosis: Causative links and outcomes

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition characterized by an acute cytokine storm followed by prolonged dysfunction of the immune system in the survivors. Post-septic lymphopenia and functional deficits of the remaining immune cells lead to increased susceptibility to secondary infections and other morbid conditions causing late death in the patients. This state of post-septic immunoparalysis may also influence disorders stemming from inappropriate or overactive immune responses, such as autoimmune and immunoinflammatory diseases, including multiple sclerosis. In addition, ongoing autoimmunity likely influences the susceptibility to and outcome of sepsis. This review article addresses the bidirectional relationship between sepsis and multiple sclerosis, with a focus on the immunologic mechanisms of the interaction and potential directions for future studies.