title: Inhibition of TWEAK activity as a new treatment for inflammatory and degenerative diseases.
abstract: Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily of structurally-related cytokines. TWEAK acts on responsive cells via binding to a cell surface receptor named fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14). TWEAK can regulate numerous cellular responses in vitro including cell proliferation, migration, survival, differentiation and apoptosis. TWEAK is also a proangiogenic and proinflammatory factor in vivo. Recent studies have indicated that pharmacological inhibition of TWEAK activity may have therapeutic efficacy in several diseases including ischemic stroke, cerebral edema, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. In this review we first introduce the TWEAK-Fn14 signaling system and then focus on the potential therapeutic utility of soluble Fn14-Fc fusion proteins and TWEAK neutralizing antibodies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. myepes@emory.edu
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yepes
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Winkles
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000188:drug therapy; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D000074049:Cytokine TWEAK; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy; D000074050:TWEAK Receptor; D000079424:Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors; D048069:Tumor Necrosis Factors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000074049:Cytokine TWEAK; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C000613297:TNFRSF12A protein, human; C109743:TNFSF12 protein, human; D000074050:TWEAK Receptor; D000079424:Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors; D048069:Tumor Necrosis Factors