J Autoimmun 2001 Dec;17(4):273-80
Ciusani E, Gelati M, Frigerio S,
Pollo B, Massa G, Sacerdote P, Panerai AE, Salmaggi A.
Istituto Nazionale Neurologico 'C.
Besta', Via Celoria 11, Milan, 20133, Italy
The effects of modulation of apoptosis in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in Lewis rats have been investigated using a peptide of the Fas-Ligand protein (FasL-p).
The peptide was administered both subcutaneously and intra-cerebro-ventricularly (i.c.v.) after EAE induction.
Rats treated subcutaneously with FasL-p showed a worse clinical score as compared to saline treated animals, while i.c.v. treatment with FasL-p did not modify significantly the severity of EAE.
Apoptotic lymphomonocytes (identified by TUNEL) infiltrating the brain and the spinal cord were decreased in rats treated i.c.v. with FasL-p.
The data suggest that the Fas/Fas-ligand
pathway may be modulated by treatments with peptides of Fas-Ligand and
that it may be at work within the central nervous system in EAE.
Copyright 2001 Academic Press.