TNF is a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine in autoimmune-mediated demyelination Journal Article


Authors: Liu, J.; Marino, M. W.; Wong, G.; Grail, D.; Dunn, A.; Bettadapura, J.; Slavin, A. J.; Old, L.; Bernard, C. C. A.
Article Title: TNF is a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine in autoimmune-mediated demyelination
Abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by localized areas of demyelination. Although the etiology and pathogenesis of MS remain largely unknown, it is generally assumed that immune responses to myelin antigens contribute to the disease process. The exact sequence of events, as well as the molecular mediators that lead to myelin destruction, is yet to be defined. As a potent mediator of inflammation, the cytopathic cytokine, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) has been considered to be a strong candidate in the pathogenesis of MS and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). However, its role in immune-mediated demyelination remains to be elucidated. To determine the contribution of TNF to the pathogenesis of the MS-like disease provoked by the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), we have tested mice with an homologous disruption of the gene encoding TNF (ref. 7). Here we report that upon immunization with MOG, mice lacking TNF develop severe neurological impairment with high mortality and extensive inflammation and demyelination. We show further that inactivation of the TNF gene converts MOG-resistant mice to a state of high susceptibility. Furthermore, treatment with TNF dramatically reduces disease severity in both TNF(-/-) mice and in other TNF(+/+) mice highly susceptible to the MOG-induced disease. These findings indicate that TNF is not essential for the induction and expression of inflammatory and demyelinating lesions, and that it may limit the extent and duration of severe CNS pathology.
Keywords: nonhuman; mouse; animals; mice; mice, knockout; gene targeting; animal experiment; inflammation; heterozygote; mice, inbred c57bl; mice, inbred strains; gene expression regulation; tumor necrosis factor-alpha; spinal cord; recombinant proteins; gene therapy; macrophages; mice, inbred nod; multiple sclerosis; lymphocytes; tumor necrosis factor; immunopathogenesis; protein synthesis regulation; crosses, genetic; oligodendroglia; demyelination; myelin sheath; myelin-associated glycoprotein; human; female; priority journal; article
Journal Title: Nature Medicine
Volume: 4
Issue: 1
ISSN: 1078-8956
Publisher: Nature Publishing Group  
Date Published: 1998-01-01
Start Page: 78
End Page: 83
Language: English
DOI: 10.1038/nm0198-078
PUBMED: 9427610
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 12 December 2016 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Lloyd J Old
    593 Old
  2. Michael W. Marino
    35 Marino