Tumor necrosis factor-alpha mediated signaling in neuronal homeostasis and dysfunction

Cell Signal. 2010 Jul;22(7):977-83. doi: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2010.01.010. Epub 2010 Jan 21.

Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a potent pro-inflammatory molecule, which upon engagement with its cognate receptors on target cells, triggers downstream signaling cascades that control a number of cellular processes related to cell viability, gene expression, ion homeostasis, and synaptic integrity. In the central nervous system (CNS), TNF-alpha is produced by brain-resident astrocytes, microglia, and neurons in response to numerous intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli. This review will summarize the key events that lead to TNF-alpha elaboration in the CNS, and the effects that these inflammatory signals impart on neuronal signaling in the context of homeostasis and neuropathology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / etiology
  • Animals
  • Brain / embryology
  • Cell Survival
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Ion Channels / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Neuronal Plasticity
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Parkinson Disease / etiology
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / physiology*

Substances

  • Ion Channels
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha