Deficient p75 low-affinity neurotrophin receptor expression exacerbates experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in C57/BL6 mice.

We have investigated the role of p75NTR in inflammation in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model for the human disease multiple sclerosis (MS). Induction of EAE in C57/BL6 wild-type mice resulted in expression of p75NTR in endothelial cells in the CNS. In contrast to the clinical manifestation of EAE observed in wild-type C57/BL6 mice, mice deficient for p75NTR (p75NTR knockout mice) developed severe or lethal disease and concomitant increased levels of inflammation in the CNS. Our findings suggest a physiological significant role for p75NTR in CNS endothelial cells during inflammation and involvement in preservation of blood-brain barrier integrity during a severe infiltrative attack.