No abstract

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) has been found to act as a potent anti‐inflammatory factor through regulating the production of both anti‐ and pro‐inflammatory mediators and promoting Th2‐type responses. In this study, we used Chicken collagen II‐induced experimental arthritis (CIA) model in Wistar rats to investigate the potential effects of VIP on rheumatoid arthritis. Our results showed that in vivo treatment of CIA‐induced rats with VIP had great protective benefit at both clinical and histological levels. Disease suppression was associated with the inhibition of T cells proliferation, shifting of the immune response toward a Th2‐type response and expanded CD4+CD25+ Treg in the periphery, which inhibited autoreactive T cell activation/expansion. In conclusion, the study provides evidence that VIP had great protective effect on CIA through its inhibition actions on pathogenic T cells.

No abstract

No abstract