The Spatio-Temporal Expression Profiles of CD4 + T Cell Differentiation and Function-Related Genes During EAE Pathogenesis

Multiple sclerosis is a CD4⁺ T cell-mediated autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. The unbalance of the cytokines and transcription factors critical for CD4⁺ T cell differentiation and function is probably the main reason that causes MS. We detected the mRNA expression changes of key cytokines and transcription factors which are critical for Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cell differentiation and function in different tissues during EAE pathogenesis. We fund that each gene not only has its own featured expression changes, but also has interaction with one another, which composes a network of immunity. Understanding the roles of key cytokines and transcription factors in these processes will help to understand disease pathogenesis and supply indications for disease therapy.