Fig. 5.

JM-4 peptide induced expansion of regulatory T (Treg) cells and reduced T helper (Th)17-positive cells. SJL/J mice immunized with proteolipid protein (PLP) peptide were treated with either JM-4 or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 7 days. Animals (n = 3 per treatment group) were sacrificed after 7 days treatment with PBS or JM-4 peptide and spleens were harvested for designed experiments. (Top panel) A significantly reduced number of splenic Treg cells was detected in sham-treated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) control mice when compared with normal SJL/J controls (1.7% vs 3.7%; p < 0.001), whereas JM-4 treatment for 7 days sharply increased cell splenic Foxp3 numbers (6.9% vs 1.7%; p < 0.001). (Bottom panel) Increased splenic Th17 cells were detected in sham-treated EAE control mice (2.3% vs 1.2%; p < 0.005). JM-4 therapy for 7 days in EAE mice significantly reduced number of Th17 cells to normal levels (1.1% vs 1.2%). NL = Normal