Interferon-gamma and a factor derived from trypanosomes cause behavioural changes in the rat.
A newly isolated interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) immunoreactive molecule, "neuronal IFN-gamma", and recombinant lymphocyte-derived IFN-gamma were injected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) through a previously implanted cannula into adult male rats during both the light and the dark phases of the light/dark cycle. The two molecules caused a reduction in both frequency and duration of rearing and locomotion during the dark, but not the light, phase. A molecule isolated from Trypanosoma brucei brucei, a parasite of the same subspecies of trypanosomes which causes African sleeping sickness, can induce production and release of IFN-gamma and "neuronal IFN-gamma" from lymphocytes and neurons, respectively. I.c.v. injection of this factor also reduced rearing during the dark period, but to a less extent. Thus, "neuronal IFN-gamma" appears to have effects on animal behaviour in common with lymphocyte-derived IFN-gamma. This study highlights the potential role of these cytokines in behaviour disturbances.
Peng
Z C
ZC
Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Mohammed
A H
AH
Olsson
T
T
Edlund
C
C
Kristensson
K
K
D000818:Animals; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects*; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D014020:Tissue Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014346:Trypanosoma brucei brucei / Q000276:immunology*; D014353:Trypanosomiasis, African / Q000276:immunology
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014020:Tissue Extracts; D007371:Interferon-gamma