Citation

Blocking the activity of IL-12/23 can inhibit autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis.,We examined whether an antibody against IL-12/23, ustekinumab (UTZ) (Stelera), used clinically in psoriasis would have similar anti-inflammatory effects in EAE after oral administration.,B6 mice were immunized with MOG peptide 35-55 and gavaged with isotype IgG control or UTZ during ongoing disease. Splenocytes, CD4(+) T cells or macrophages/monocyte lineage cells (CD11b(+)) from control fed or UTZ fed mice were adoptively transferred into active MOG peptide 35-55 immunized recipient mice during ongoing disease. Actively fed and recipient mice were examined for disease inhibition, inflammation, and cytokine responses.,Ingested (oral) UTZ inhibited ongoing disease and decreased inflammation. Adoptively transferred cells from UTZ fed donors protected against actively induced disease and decreased inflammation. Oral UTZ decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines Th1-like cytokines IL-2, IL-12, IFN-, IL-17 (Teff) and TNF- in UTZ fed mice and increased counter-regulatory cytokines IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13 in recipients of donor cells from UTZ fed mice.,Ingested (orally administered) UTZ can inhibit disease, CNS inflammation, decrease pro-inflammatory Th1-like and Th17 cytokines and increase Th2-like anti-inflammatory cytokines.