Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Development Is Aggravated byCandida albicansInfection

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory/autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) mainly mediated by myelin specific T cells. It is widely believed that environmental factors, including fungal infections, contribute to disease induction or evolution. Even though Candida infection among MS patients has been described, the participation of this fungus in this pathology is not clear. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of a Candida albicans infection on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) that is a widely accepted model to study MS. Female C57BL/6 mice were infected with C. albicans and 3 days later, animals were submitted to EAE induction by immunization with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. Previous infection increased the clinical score and also the body weight loss. EAE aggravation was associated with expansion of peripheral CD4+ T cells and production of high levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ IL-6, and IL-17 by spleen and CNS cells. In addition to yeast and hyphae, fungus specific T cells were found in the CNS. These findings suggest that C. albicans infection before EAE induction aggravates EAE, and possibly MS, mainly by CNS dissemination and local induction of encephalitogenic cytokines. Peripheral production of encephalitogenic cytokines could also contribute to disease aggravation.

Animal experimentation in transgenesis: evaluating course design in large classrooms

“…The cellular responses will be characterized by proliferation and differentiation markers (Foxp3, IL‐17, IFNg, GMCSF, …), by flow cytometry and measurements of secreted cytokines. Is the experimental protocol satisfactory?’ The text of the protocol is inspired by models for EAE available in the literature [32,33].…”

Therapeutic and Prophylactic Potential of Vitamin D for Multiple Sclerosis

“…More recently, a possible relationship between MS and Candida species was proposed [57][58][59]. Our research team recently demonstrated that previous infection with Candida albicans, a commensal and opportunistic human pathogen, aggravates the clinical signs of EAE [60].…”

The Multibiome: The Intestinal Ecosystem's Influence on Immune Homeostasis, Health, and Disease

“…EAE symptoms do not develop in GF mice, but colonizing GF mice with the Th17 promoting bacteria Segmented Filamentous Bacteria (SFB) restores EAE susceptibility (Lee et al, 2011). Similarly, the Th17 promoting fungus Candida albicans has been associated with exacerbated EAE and has been detected in the cerebrospinal fluid of MS patients (Fraga-Silva et al, 2015). Conversely, probiotic mixtures of regulatory T cell-promoting bacteria can dampen neuroinflammation and EAE symptoms (Kwon et al, 2013).…”