Avaliação do efeito imunomodulador do 17 β-estradiol na encefalomielite auto-imune experimental murina

Abstract

Multiple Sclerosis (ME) is an inflammatory, chronic and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Although the etiology of it is still unclear, it is considered a CD4+ T Helper-1-mediated and CD4+ T Helper-17-mediated autoimmune disease and the highest prevalence of it is in women. However, the basis for this prevalence isn´t still well clear. The first symptoms of ME, often, appear after sexual maturity. On the other hand, high levels of sexual hormones during pregnancy seems to low signs and symptoms, which to be high after childbirth. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal model to study ME. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of treatment with 17 β-Estradiol on murine EAE. Results indicated that the treatment with this hormone ameliorated the clinical course of the disease, decreased pró-inflammatory cytokines levels, like interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) e interleucine 17 (IL-17), and infiltration of white blood cells on CNS, further on increased interleucine 10 (IL-10) levels. There was also an increased of B cells in brain and spleen of treated animals. In conclusion, 17 β-Estradiol may play an immunomodulatory role in EAE.