TGF-beta1 upregulates CX3CR1 expression and inhibits fractalkine-stimulated signaling in rat microglia

Abstract

Following peripheral nerve transection, CX3CR1 and TGF-beta1 are increased in a time-dependent manner within the injured facial motor nucleus. To explore the relationship between TGF-beta1 and CX3CR1 in the CNS, the effects of TGF-beta1 on CX3CR1 mRNA, protein and fractalkine-dependent stimulation of signal transduction cascades in primary cultures of rat microglia were examined. TGF-beta1 increased steady state levels of CX3CR1 mRNA, 125I-fractalkine binding sites and blunted fractalkine-stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation. The half-life of CX3CR1 mRNA was unaltered by TGF-beta1 and two potential Smad binding elements (SBEs) were identified in the rat CX3CR1 promoter. TGF-beta1 may shift fractalkine-dependent signaling away from activation of ERK1/2 towards other pathways and/or may provide a mechanism for microglia to more strongly adhere to neurons.