Cytokines and neurotrophins interact in normal and diseased states.
Neurotrophins (NTs) such as nerve growth factor (NGF) as well as cytokines, for example, interleukin-6 (IL-6), are communicators between the nervous and immune systems. There is evidence for mutual interactions between NTs and cytokines. Strategies are being developed to elucidate the molecular mechanism/s of interactions and to understand how cytokines are involved in health and disease. Analysis of underlying signaling pathways in glial cells indicates that different transcription factors, such as NF-kappa B, cAMP-responsive-element binding protein (CREB), and activator protein 1 (AP-1), are involved in NT induction. IL-6 and NTs of the NGF family are coexpressed at sites of nerve injury. Interactions of these factors could modulate both neuronal de- and regeneration: IL-6 in conjunction with its soluble IL-6 receptor induces a specific pattern of NTs in astrocytes in defined brain regions. This indicates that the IL-6 system mediates a local supply of NTs that participate in diverse CNS functions, such as protection of neurons from insults, neuronal survival, and neuroimmune responses.
Department of Physiology, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland. uwe.otten@unibas.ch
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Otten
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März
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Heese
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Hock
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Kunz
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Rose-John
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000276:immunology*; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation
D016207:Cytokines; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors