Corticosteroids protect oligodendrocytes from cytokine-induced cell death.
The present data show that the simultaneous exposure to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) and interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) induces cell death with characteristics of apoptosis in cultured rat oligodendrocytes; TNFalpha alone was ineffective. We have also demonstrated that different corticosteroids (aldosterone, deoxycorticosterone, dexamethasone and corticosterone) protect rat oligodendrocytes in culture from apoptosis induced by TNFalpha plus IFNgamma. This effect seems to be exerted via the interaction with both type I and type II corticosteroid receptors since all steroids considered are effective. Since oligodendrocyte apoptosis represents an important event in multiple sclerosis and in several demyelinating diseases, the present observations might be considered an interesting background for further researches directed to the possibility of controlling in vivo the death of these cells.
Melcangi
R C
RC
Department of Endocrinology, University of Milan, Italy.
Cavarretta
I
I
Magnaghi
V
V
Ciusani
E
E
Salmaggi
A
A
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D016207:Cytokines; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma