The Quinazoline Derivative, QNZ, Alleviates Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis by Suppressing Th1 and Th17 Cells

Abstract

Aims

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS). Substantial evidence implicates a central role for CD4+ T cells in MS pathogenesis, particularly IFN-γ+ Th1 cells and IL-17+ Th17 cells. NF-κB plays an essential role in regulating the differentiation of Th1 and Th17 cells, which typically mediate inflammatory responses as self-triggers. QNZ is a highly selective inhibitor of NF-κB transcriptional activation. In this study, we assessed the impact of QNZ on CD4+ T-cell polarization in MS. Utilizing the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model, we investigated these aspects of MS.

Method

EAE was induced in C57BL/6 female mice by active immunization with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)_35–55 peptide. QNZ was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) once every 2 days after the first immunization. Disease severity was clinically assessed and histopathologically assessed in the CNS. Phenotyping of CD4+ T cells was performed by flow cytometry in the spleen and cervical lymph nodes.

Results

Prophylactic administration of QNZ to EAE mice suppressed the differentiation of Th1 and Th17 cells and demyelination within the spinal cord. Notably, QNZ also reduced the proportion of IFN-γ+IL-17+ Th17.1 cells, potentially playing a critical role in MS pathogenesis.

Conclusions

Quinazoline derivative QNZ could suppress neuroinflammation, alleviate the progression of EAE and be associated with reduced Th1 and Th17 immunity.