Figure 2. FMD cycles decrease the number of infiltrating T cells in the Spinal Cord.

(n=4–8 / group; mean ± S.E.M, * p < 0.05, ** p<0.01; *** p < 0.001; t test, 1-way ANOVA & Bonferroni Post Test; Scale bar represents 200 μm).

a. Total white blood cells (WBC), lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocyte counts of the naïve, EAE-CTRL, EAE-FMD, and after 3 days of the re-feeding (EAE-FMD: RF) mice after 3 cycles of the FMD and matched time point for the EAE-CTRL.

b–d. Spinal cord sections (D14) and quantification at D3 and D14 post the first EAE sign for (b)CD11b⁺, (c) CD4⁺, and (d) CD8⁺ (at least 6 sections / mouse).

e. CD11c⁺ isolated from the EAE CTRL or EAE FMD mice on D3 and the quantification of cells from the total isolated splenocyte.

f. CD4⁺ gated for CD44^L or CD44^H isolated from the EAE CTRL or EAE FMD and quantification of % splenocyte of CD4⁺ CD44^L (Inactive) or CD4⁺ CD44^H (Active) cells.

g. CD3⁺ lymphocytes gated for CD4 and MOG_35-55/IA^b from EAE CTRL or EAE FMD and quantification of the MOG specific CD4⁺ cells.

h. CD4⁺ CD25⁺ FoxP3⁺ isolated from EAE CTRL or EAE FMD and the quantification of CD25⁺ FoxP3⁺ of CD4⁺ cells.

i–j. Intracellular staining for either IFNγ (i) or IL17(j) after gated for CD4⁺ of the naïve, EAE CTRL, EAE FMD, EAE FMD:RF and quantification of cell counts.

k. Quantification of Annex in V⁺ apoptotic CD3⁺ MOG_35-55/IA^b cells.

l. Quantification of CD4⁺IFNγ⁺ of BrdU⁺ lymphocytes.

m–o. Serum (m)TNFα, (n)IFNγ, and (o)IL-17 level (pg/mL) of the naive, EAE CTRL and EAE FMD mice on D3 post first sign of EAE.

p. Serum corticosterone level (ng/mL) of before immunization, at the time of the symptom, 3 or 14 days after initial symptom of the control or FMD.