IL-7Rα confers susceptibility to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disorder that causes paralysis in young adults and affects women more frequently than men. The etiology of MS is not known, but it is generally viewed as an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS), influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Recent studies have identified interleukin-7 receptor alpha (IL-7R alpha) as a risk factor for MS. But the role of IL-7R alpha in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of MS is not known. In this study we demonstrate that IL-7R alpha-deficient (IL-7R alpha(-/-)) mice remain resistant to MOGp35-55-induced EAE. When compared with C57BL/6 wild-type mice, IL-7R alpha(-/-) mice showed less severe inflammation and demyelination in the CNS. The attenuation of EAE in IL-7R alpha(-/-) mice was associated with a decrease in T-helper (Th) 1 and Th17 responses in the CNS and lymphoid organs. IL-7R alpha(-/-) mice also showed an increase in Th2 response and CD4(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells. These findings highlight that IL-7R alpha confers susceptibility by influencing autoimmune Th1/Th17 responses in EAE model of MS. Genes and Immunity (2011) 12, 1-14; doi: 10.1038/gene.2010.49; published online 23 September 2010