Figure 5

Caffeine counteracts the disease-prone potential of high sucrose in EAE. (a) Coca-Free was replenished with caffeine (0.1 mg ml⁻¹) and used for treatment of mice for 8 weeks before immunization. The clinical score was assessed and shown. n=8. (b) Caffeine (0.1 mg ml⁻¹) was added to the 10% sucrose solution and used for treatment of mice for 8 weeks before immunization. The clinical score was assessed and shown. n=7. (c and d) Representative histological sections and quantitative analysis of disease severity of mice as in b. Infiltration of lymphocytes and demyelination are highlighted by arrow, and scale bars are present as 250 μm. (e and f) The Th17 level in the CNS was assessed on day 18 post immunization, a representative staining and statistical analysis are shown. Cells were gated on TCRβ⁺ CD4⁺. (g–j) The Th17 and Treg levels were also detected in the inguinal LN on day 18 post immunization. Cells were gated on TCRβ⁺ CD4⁺. A representative staining and statistical analysis are shown. (k and l) Representative staining and statistical analysis of Th17 cells in different organs of mice under disease-free condition are shown. Cells were gated on TCRβ⁺ CD4⁺. (m) Mice consuming 10% sucrose or caffeinated 10% sucrose were transferred with MOG_35-55 specific lymphocytes (2×10⁶ cells per mice) for passive-induced EAE. The clinical score was assessed and shown. n=5. All data above are representative of at least two independent experiments.