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  • Title: Differential induction of interleukin-12, interleukin-18, and interleukin-1beta converting enzyme mRNA in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis of the Lewis rat.
    Author: Jander S, Stoll G.
    Journal: J Neuroimmunol; 1998 Nov 02; 91(1-2):93-9. PubMed ID: 9846824.
    Abstract:
    Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a model of autoimmune central nervous system (CNS) disease that is mediated by autoreactive Th1 cells secreting the proinflammatory cytokine interferon (IFN)-gamma. Interleukin (IL)-12 in its heterodimeric p35/p40 isoform and the recently described cytokine IL-18 potently induce T cell production of IFN-gamma. Interleukin-1beta converting enzyme (ICE) is required to convert IL-18 precursor protein into its biologically active mature form. In this study, we used semiquantitative reverse transciptase-polymerase chain reaction to determine steady state levels of IL-12, IL-18, and ICE mRNA in the spinal cord of Lewis rats at different stages of EAE. In control rats, we found significant IL-18, ICE, and IL-12p35, but not IL-12p40 mRNA expression. IL-18 mRNA increased during the acute stage of EAE together with a marked induction of ICE mRNA. IL-12p35 mRNA levels did not change significantly throughout the course of EAE. Surprisingly, the peak expression of IL-12p40 mRNA was delayed by several days relative to the peak of T cell infiltration and IFN-gamma mRNA synthesis. Our data implicate the IL-18/ICE pathway in the amplification of Th1-mediated immune responses in the CNS but suggest a different, so far undefined role of endogenous IL-12 in the late effector phase of EAE.
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