NAD+ Attenuates Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis through Inducing of CD11b+ gr-1+ Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of NAD+ on the pathogenesis of the animal model for multiple sclerosis (MS)-experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). METHODS: EAE model was induced by myelin oligodendrocyte protein (MOG 35-55). Clinical scores of EAE were measured in mice with or without NAD+ treatment. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and luxol fast blue (LFB) staining were performed to assess inflammation and demyelination, respectively. Expressions of target proteins were measured by western blot. The numbers of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) were measured by immunofluorescent staining and flow cytometry. Enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay was used to measure the expressions of inflammatory cytokine in serum. RESULTS: NAD+ treatment could decreased inflammatory cells and demyelination foci, attenuate the clinical scores of EAE and slightly delayed disease onset. Western blot showed that NAD+ treatment up-regulated the expression of p-STAT6 and SIRT1. Besides, NAD+ treatment up-regulated the expression of p-IkappaB and down-regulated the expression of p-NF-kappaB. In addition, NAD+ treatment could increase the numbers of CD11b+ gr-1+ MDSCs and the expression of Arginase-1. Moreover, NAD+ treatment up-regulated the expressions of IL-13 and down-regulated the expression of IFN-gamma and IL-17. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that NAD+ treatment may induce the CD11b+ gr-1+ MDSCs to attenuate EAE via activating the phosphorylation of STAT6 expression. Therefore, NAD+ should be considered as a potential novel therapeutic strategy for MS.