Changes Of TIM-3and GAL-9Expression At The Brain Of Rats With Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

ObjectiveWe investigate the changes of TIM-3and its ligand GAL-9mRNA at the brains of rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, and detect the changes of IL-17mRNA in different phase of EAE. Explore the mechanism of TIM-3/GAL-9pathway in the happening and development of EAE.MethodsForty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups:each twenty-four rats in EAE group and CFA group, then the two group were randomly divided into four subgroups:at the onset, peak, remission and recover. The animal model was established in female Wistar rats by immunizing rats with guinea pig spinal cord homogenate (GPSCH), complete freund’s adjuvant (CFA). The CFA group use NS instead of GPSCH. The severity of EAE was scored on a scale0-5according to the signs and symptoms. Histological examinations were performed on the sections of brain with the aid of hematoxylin-eosin and Luxol Fast Blue myelin staining. The expressions of TIM-3and GAL-9mRNA in four subgroups’brain tissue were detected by RT-PCR. Experimental results were analyzed with SPSS17.0.Results 1. The CFA group had no ill. The morbility of EAE group is83.33%.83.33%rats in EAE group were developed a progressive paralysis, the clinical symptoms of EAE occurred about8th-10th days after immunization were induced. The peak of clinical symptoms took place on the12th-14th days, and got a remission at15th-17th days.2. The CNS tissue’s hematoxylin-eosin(H-E) staining histopathology results of EAE group’s rats indicate that CNS already have inflammation focus at the onset, the extent and amount of the inflammation focus increased on the12th and14th day, then decreased on the15th-17th day, reach normal level on the18th-22nd day.3. Comparing to the CFA group, The TIM-3mRNA in EAE were increased as the disease got aggravating (P<0.05), and peaked at the remission, then decreased at the recover phase. The expression of GAL-9mRNA of brains in EAE groups increase at early (P<0.05), followed an increase in the peak phase. The expression of IL-17mRNA of brains in EAE groups were increased on the onset, peaked on the12th day (P<0.05), the expression level decreased on15th day, but still higher than CFA group. The expression of TIM-3and GAL-9mRNA was positive correlated with the expression of IL-17mRNA and the correlation coefficients were0.699and0.897.Conclusion1. GAL-9and TIM-3mRNA increased in EAE rats, which suggest that TIM-3and GAL-9play an important role in the central nervous system.2. The expression of TIM-3and GAL-9mRNA was positive correlated with the expression of IL-17mRNA in EAE rats, suggesting the TIM-3/GAL-9pathway can regulates IL-17.