AIMTo observe the dynamic changes of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mRNA and protein express in subfornical organ in rats with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) to confirm that SFO is one of the sites for blood-bearing signaling molecules entering into brain.

METHODSEAE was induced by CFA-GPSCH on Wistar rats, we observed the levels of HO-1 mRNA and its protein expression with immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization technology on 1 d, 7 d, 14 d, and 21 d after EAE induction in SFO of rats. The relationship between HO-1 and symptoms of EAE was also investigated.

RESULTSThe expression levels of HO-1 mRNA and its protein expression were very low in the brains of the control group, whereas they were enhanced gradually with pathological course in the brain and onsets of symptoms, signs of EAE. On 1 d after induction of EAE, positive cells of HO-1 mRNA and its protein expression were observed at SFO, but the labeled cells were rarely seen in the other brain regions. On 7 d, the positive cells increased markedly. On 14 d the levels of HO-1 mRNA and its protein expression in the brains reached the peak, the positive cells of HO-1 were mainly located at the choroid plexuses and SFO, as well as the regions around "sleeve-like" lesion foci, all of which were coincident with the locations of lesions of EAE. The changes of incidence, symptom, reduction of the body weight, and pathology lesions of EAE in rat brains were the most significant. On 21 d, the levels of HO-1 mRNA and its protein expression reduced gradually, which was in parallel with remitted symptoms of EAE. When a specific inhibitor of HO-1, Snpp9, was applied, the symptoms and pathological lesions of EAE in brains were mitigated markedly.

CONCLUSIONSFO may be one of the earliest sites for blood-bearing signaling molecules entering into brain. The dynamic changes of HO-1 mRNA and its protein expression are in parallel with the changes of symptoms and pathological lesions of EAE in the brains. Application of some inhibitors of HO-1 may be one of potential therapeutic methods for prevention and treatment of EAE.