Interferon-gamma promotes differentiation of neural progenitor cells via the JNK pathway.
It has been reported that interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) facilitates differentiation of PC-12 cells and murine adult neural stem cells. Here we show that IFN-gamma promotes the differentiation of C17.2 neural progenitor cells (NPC) into a neuronal phenotype characterized by neurite outgrowth and the expression of the neuronal marker protein beta-III tubulin. IFN-gamma induced an increase in the activity c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) without affecting activities of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs 1 and 2). An inhibitor of JNK blocked the ability of IFN-gamma to promote differentiation of NPC into neurons, whereas an inhibitor of ERKs 1 and 2 did not. Our findings show that the pro-inflammatory cytokine, IFN-gamma has the potential to stimulate neurogenesis, suggesting roles for this cytokine in development and repair of the nervous system.
Kim
So Jung
SJ
Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Research Institute for Drug Development, Longevity Life Science and Technology Institutes, Pusan National University, Geumjeong-gu, Busan, Korea.
Son
Tae Gen
TG
Kim
Keunho
K
Park
Hee Ra
HR
Mattson
Mark P
MP
Lee
Jaewon
J
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism*; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D010641:Phenotype; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases