The TLR7 agonist, imiquimod, increases IFN-beta production and reduces the severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Publication/Presentation Date

4-15-2010

Abstract

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a well-characterised model of autoimmune inflammatory demyelination. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognise microbial components and initiate innate immune responses. We report in this study that TLR7 stimulation by imiquimod, a synthetic analog of ssRNA, suppresses disease severity in a chronic EAE model. Disease suppression is associated with increased IFN-beta production in spleens of mice treated with imiquimod. In vitro experiments on pDCs, which express high levels of TLR7 and are potent producers of IFN-beta, suggest that an amplification loop involving TLR7 and IFNAR is required for the observed effects.

Volume

221

Issue

1-2

First Page

107

Last Page

111

ISSN

1872-8421

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

20138374

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article

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