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.
Otten
U
U
Department of Physiology, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland. uwe.otten@unibas.ch
März
P
P
Heese
K
K
Hock
C
C
Kunz
D
D
Rose-John
S
S
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