The flavonoid kurarinone inhibits clinical progression of EAE through inhibiting Th1 and Th17 cell differentiation and proliferation

Introduction: The flavonoid kurarinone suppresses CD4+ T-cell-mediated chronic inflammatory dermatitis. However, kurarinone's effects upon autoimmune central nervous system (CNS) disease remain unknown. We investigated the potential therapeutic effects and molecular mechanism(s) of kurarinone in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) murine model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Materials and methods: Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG(35-55)) peptide-induced EAE was constructed in wild-type mice. Effects of kurarinone (100 mg/kg/day) upon clinical scores were assessed based on physical traits and signs. Spinal cord sections were extracted to assess inflammation, demyelination, and mRNA expression of key pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. CNS-infiltrating mononuclear cells (MNC5) and splenocytes were harvested; flow cytometry was then applied to determine CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell percentages as well as Th1/Th2/Th17 subset percentages. Purified naive CD4+ T-cells underwent in vitro T-cell polarization and proliferation to assess kurarinone's effects. Results: Prophylactic and treatment regimens of kurarinone significantly improved clinical scores in the MOG(35)(-55) peptide-induced EAE model (P < 0.05). Kurarinone significantly lowered CNS inflammation and demyelination (61% and 83% decreases, respectively; P < 0.05), significantly decreased MNC infiltration into CNS tissue (42% decrease; P < 0.05), and significantly inhibited levels of several pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (P < 0.05). Kurarinone significantly lowered CD4+ and CD8+ CNS T-cell counts (51% and 80% decreases, respectively; P < 0.05) and significantly reduced CNS Th1 and Th17 cell percentages (24% and 44% decreases, respectively; P < 0.05). Kurarinone significantly inhibited in vitro Th1, Th2, and Th17 cell differentiation and proliferation (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Kurarinone significantly inhibits the clinical progression of EAE through the inhibition of Th1 and Th17 cell differentiation and proliferation. Kurarinone may show promise as an immunomodulatory therapeutic agent in treating MS.