PD-L1 is increased in the spinal cord and infiltrating lymphocytes in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

This study investigates the role of programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), a mouse model for multiple sclerosis (MS). EAE mice showed inflammatory changes in the central nervous system, similar to those seen in MS. The expression of PD-L1 was found to be significantly increased in the spinal cord and splenocytes of mice with EAE compared to normal mice. These findings suggest that PD-L1 is involved in the pathogenesis of EAE and might be relevant to MS. The researchers used a novel method to immunize mice by injecting the antigen into the armpit, which contains abundant lymphoid tissue, facilitating antigen transport and immunological reactions. This single-point injection also helps to avoid tolerance to antigens and reduce morbidity.

• 1
  PD-L1 expression was significantly increased in the spinal cord of EAE mice compared to control mice, as shown by immunohistochemical staining.
• 2
  Flow cytometry and western blot analysis revealed that PD-L1 expression was significantly increased in splenic CD4+ T cells of EAE mice compared to control mice.
• 3
  The experimental allergic encephalomyelitis models are similar to multiple sclerosis in humans, as detected by hematoxylin-eosin staining and Luxol fast-blue staining.