The motorized RhoGAP myosin IXb (Myo9b) in leukocytes regulates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis induction and recovery

Liu Z., Xu Y., Zhang X., Song J., Sorokin L., Bähler M.

Abstract

Myo9b regulates leukocyte migration by controlling RhoA signaling. Here we assessed its role in active experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Myo9b-/- mice show a delay in the onset of EAE symptoms. The delay in disease onset was accompanied by reduced numbers of Th1 and Th17 cells in the CNS. Myo9b-/- mice showed no recovery from disease symptoms and exhibited elevated numbers of both Th17 cells and CD11b+ macrophages. Bone marrow chimeric mice demonstrated that the absence of a leukocyte source of Myo9b was responsible for the delayed leukocyte infiltration into the CNS, delayed EAE onset and lack of recovery.