Objective        To determine regulating effect of interleukin-27 (IL-27) on the expression of central nervous system (CNS) chemokine  RANTES (CCL5)

and investigate its therapeutic effect on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice.       Methods        EAE models were established in 40 female C57BL/6 mice by inoculating homogenate containing myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG

31-55

) and complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)

and then the rabbits wer

e killed in 0

7

14 and 21 d later for the expression of IL-27 and CCL5 in the CNS by Western blotting. Another 50 female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal control group

EAE group

EAE+IL-27 group

EAE+SC144 (IL-12 receptor inhibitor) group and EAE+PBS group. The behavior changes were observed. The expression of CCL5 at protein and mRNA levels was detected in the CNS by Western blotting and real-time PCR in 21 d after EAE model establishment.       Results        After EAE model was established

the expression of IL-27 in the CNS was increased with time elapse

while the expression of CCL5 was reduced with time. IL-27 intervention resulted in milder injury in neural function (

P

0.05)

while SC144 treatment enhanced the injury (

P

0.05). In 21 d after EAE model establishment

the mRNA and protein expression of CCL5 was significantly decreased in the IL-27 intervention group than the EAE model group (

P

0.05)

while the expression was increased significantly in SC144 group (

P

0.05).       Conclusion       In EAE mice

IL-27 suppresses the expression of CCL5 at protein and mRNA levels

and thus exerts an anti-inflammatory effect to reduce the nerve function

which might provide a new drug target for CNS autoimmune inflammatory disease.