In this study, we investigated the expression of nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the spinal cord using an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model. MOG_35-55 was injected into female mice to induce an autoimmune response. Clinical scoring and a behavioral rotarod test were conducted to assess the successful modeling of EAE. Animals were sacrificed 1, 2, and 3 weeks after immunization. Spinal cords were prepared for morphometry, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting. Multifocal demyelination was observed in the white matter. Nrf2 immuno-reactivity was detected in astrocytes and neurons in spinal cord. Nrf2 immuno-reactive neurons and astrocytes had increased by 2 weeks after immunization, and their up-regulation was maintained until 3 weeks after immunization. Additionally, time-dependent up-regulation of Nrf2 in the spinal cord was investigated by western blotting. The level of NAD(P)H quinine oxidoreductase-1 protein, an Nrf2 target gene, was not changed during week 1, but showed a significant decrease 2 and 3 weeks after immunization. Parallel to up-regulated Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1, another target gene of Nrf2, was significantly augmented until 3 weeks after immunization. We conclude that Nrf2 expression in neurons is involved in an autoimmune attack in the spinal cord in an EAE model.

To Cite This Article: Nam SM, Lee JH, Chang BJ, Lee JH and Tae HJ, 2019. Changes in Nrf2 expression in the spinal cord in mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Pak Vet J, 39(1): 7-12. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2018.119