The Fatty Acid-Binding Protein (Fabp) Decreases the Clinical Signs and Modulates Immune Responses in a Mouse Model of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (Eae) Publisher Pubmed



Hajizadeh M¹ ; Sabooryaraghi AA² ; Meamar AR¹ ; Khoshmirsafa M³ ; Razmjou E¹ ; Sadeghipour A⁴ ; Bagheri Y⁵ ; Sadeghi F³ ; Jalallou N⁶ ; Kazemi MH^{3, 7} ; Salari AA⁸ ; Falak R^{3, 7}
Source: International Immunopharmacology Published:2021

Abstract

Background: An increasing body of studies has shown that Fasciola hepatica can affect immune responses. This study explored whether the fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) of F. hepatica can modulate the immune system in a mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Methods: EAE-induced C57BL/6 mice were treated with vehicle, F. hepatica total extract (TE) or FABP. The clinical signs, body weights, and the expression of IFN-γ, T-bet, IL-4, GATA3, IL-17, RORγ, TGF-β, FOXP3, IL-10, TNF-α genes and proteins were determined in the isolated CD4+ splenocytes. Besides, the percentage of Treg cells and degree of demyelination were evaluated. Results: We found that TE and FABP treatments decreased the clinical scores, lymphocyte infiltration rate, and demyelinated plaques in EAE mice. The expressions of IL-4 and GATA3 were increased, whereas IL-17 and TNF-α were down-regulated. FABP did not affect the expression of IFN-γ, RORγ, IL-10, and TGF-β genes or proteins but reduced the expression of T-bet. TE administration did not affect the expression of IL-10 and the Tbet genes, and increased the expression levels of IFN-γ and FOXP3 in CD4+ lymphocytes. Both FABP and TE treatment did not affect the Treg cell percentage. Conclusion: This study indicates that F. hepatica FABP and TE can suppress the inflammatory responses in EAE-induced mice and shift the immune system toward Th2 responses. However, FABP exerts stronger anti-inflammatory effects and seems to be more effective than TE for EAE treatment. © 2021 Elsevier B.V.