TWEAK is expressed by glial cells, induces astrocyte proliferation and increases EAE severity

J Neuroimmunol. 2002 Dec;133(1-2):116-23. doi: 10.1016/s0165-5728(02)00368-5.

Abstract

TWEAK is a new TNF family member with proinflammatory and proliferative effects on different cell types, mediated by the recently identified Fn14 receptor. TWEAK expression was analyzed on mouse microglial cells and astrocytes. Both cell types express TWEAK mRNA. Astrocytes expressed Fn14 and proliferated in the presence of rTWEAK. TWEAK mRNA is expressed in normal CNS and its steady state level increases in spinal cord during EAE. Finally, EAE severity is enhanced in soluble TWEAK-overexpressing transgenic mice. These results support the contention that TWEAK is involved in CNS inflammation.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Astrocytes / immunology
  • Astrocytes / metabolism*
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • Carrier Proteins / pharmacology
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Cell Division / genetics
  • Cell Division / immunology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Central Nervous System / growth & development
  • Central Nervous System / immunology
  • Central Nervous System / metabolism*
  • Cytokine TWEAK
  • Disease Progression
  • Disease Susceptibility / immunology
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / genetics
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / immunology
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / immunology
  • Inflammation Mediators / pharmacology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Microglia / immunology
  • Microglia / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / immunology
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factors

Substances

  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cytokine TWEAK
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Tnfsf12 protein, mouse
  • Tumor Necrosis Factors