Fig. 2

Cytokine expression in the CNS of EAE-immunized mice is reduced in VPAC1 KO mice. EAE was induced in WT- and VPAC1-deficient mice, and the spinal cords were collected and fresh-frozen in liquid nitrogen 30 days later. RNA was extracted and retrotranscribed to cDNA, and the levels of expression of TNFα, IL-6, IFNγ, IL-17, IL-23p19, IL-4, IL-10, and Foxp3 determined by real-time RT-PCR as described in the “Methods” sections. Results shown are representative of three independent experiments of n = 8 mice/group. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, ns = not significant; Student’s t test