Suppression of murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis development by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 with autophagy modulation

Multiple sclerosis (MS) has been associated with a history of sub-optimal exposure to ultraviolet light, implicating vitamin D3 as a possible protective agent. We evaluated whether 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 attenuates the progression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), and explored its potential mechanisms. EAE was induced in C57BL/6 mice via immunization with MOG(35-55). and some mice received 1,25(OH)(2)D-3. 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 inhibited EAE progression. Additionally, 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 reduced inflammation, demyelination, and neuron loss in the spinal cord. The protective effect of 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 was associated with significantly elevated expression of Beclin1, increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio, and decreased LC3-II accumulation. Thus, 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 may represent a promising new MS treatment. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.