Vitamin D Modulates the Expression of IL-27 and IL-33 in the Central Nervous System in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Background: It has been reported that vitamin D has broad anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Objective: To evaluate the effects of vitamin D on the expression of IL-27 and IL-33 in a model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Methods: EAE was induced in C57BL/6 mice by immunization with myelin oligodendroglial glycoprotein mixed with complete Freund's adjuvant. The mice were administered with PBS or olive oil, intraperitoneally, in the control groups and vitamin D (200 ng every two days) in the treatment group, from day +3 to +30. At day 31, the mice were scarified and their spinal cords and brains were harvested. The expression of the IL-27 and IL-33 mRNA in the spinal cord was measured using real time-PCR. Results: In PBS- or olive oil-treated EAE mice the expression of IL-27 P28 mRNA was significantly lower than that in the healthy control group (p