Year: 2019
Type: article
Abstract: In our murine model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), when male and female mice were separately assessed, CD44-KO males exhibited greater disease scores compared to CD44-KO females, consistent with sex differences noted in other strains and in the MS population.In contrast, WT males and females exhibited no sex differences in their responses to EAE induction.Our findings may suggest a potential dynamic inter-relationship between CD44 and estrogen, with each capable of modulating the other and each being able to affect changes in T-cell subset ratios, namely Th1, Th2, and Treg cells, affecting cytokine profiles and the onset and severity of EAE, in part in a CD44-and sexspecific pattern.This intersection of the matrix (CD44) and gender-endocrinology (estrogen) affecting the immune system and autoimmunity may have important implications in our understanding of EAE and MS progression and severity and enhance our understanding and treatment of breast cancer patients with MS treated with estrogen inhibitors.
Authors: Sujata Kar, Janet Y. Lee
Institutions: Yale University, University of California, San Francisco
Language: English
Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Funder: U.S. Public Health Service
Awards: G4671209460, G6472076007
OpenAlex ID: W4239373595