Ponesimod modulates the Th1/Th17/Treg cell balance and ameliorates disease in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1P1) plays an important role in autoimmune disease. Here, we evaluated whether ponesimod, an S1P1 modulator, affects inflammation in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and investigated Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg cell subsets. Ponesimod treatment ameliorated EAE and alleviated inflammatory infiltration. Compared with untreated EAE, ponesimod-treated mice had lower Th1 and Th17 cell numbers and higher Treg cell numbers; their IFN-gamma, T-bet, IL-17, and ROR gamma t levels as well as their pmTOR/mTOR ratio were diminished, while their TGF-beta and Foxp3 levels were enhanced. These results suggest that ponesimod modulates the Th1/Th17/Treg balance and regulates the mTOR pathway.

Automated summary

Ponesimod treatment improved EAE and reduced inflammatory infiltration, decreasing Th1 and Th17 cell numbers while increasing Treg cell numbers, and modulated the levels of related cytokines and signaling pathways.