Amelioration of Clinical Scores in an Experimental Autoimmune
Encephalomyelitis (EAE) Model through Expansion of Regulat
Abstract
The recombinant C-type lectin protein (r-CTL) derived from Toxocara
canis larvae is thought to play a role in promoting regulatory T
cells-dominant immune responses in toxocariasis. This study aimed to
highlight the therapeutic potential of the r-CTL protein in ameliorate
the disability scores of EAE by enhancing the regulatory T cells
population. The recombinant C-type lectin was expressed in prokaryotic
systems and purified through Ni-NTA spin columns. Balb/C57 mice were
divided into six groups, with EAE induced in all groups except the
healthy control group. Group I (n=10) received r-CTL treatment post EAE
induction, Group II (n=10) underwent EAE induction only, Group III (n=5)
received treatment with E. coli lysate proteins containing
E. coli BL21 and plasmid pET32a without r-CTL after EAE
induction, Group IV (n=5) received sterile PBS after EAE induction,
Group V (n=5) served as the healthy control group, and Group VI (n=5)
received only r-CTL treatment. The study’s findings revealed that r-CTL
treatment significantly decreased disability scores in EAE-induced mice.
There was a notable increase in the population of CD4+, CD25+, FOXP3+
regulatory T cells following r-CTL treatment. The gene expression levels
of IL-10, FOXP3, and GATA3 were significantly elevated in the r-CTL
treated group, while the expression of T-bet and RORγ genes was reduced.
Treatment with r-CTL significantly mitigated cell infiltration and
demyelination in both the spinal cord and brain. In conclusion, these
findings suggest that the r-CTL protein may have promising applications
in the treatment of MS and warrant further investigation into its
therapeutic mechanisms.