title: TWEAK and the central nervous system.
abstract: Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily that 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 and in vivo. Recent studies have indicated that TWEAK and Fn14 are expressed in the central nervous system (CNS), and that in response to a variety of stimuli, including cerebral ischemia, there is an increase in TWEAK and Fn14 expression in perivascular astrocytes, microglia, endothelial cells, and neurons with subsequent increase in the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and cell death. Furthermore, there is a growing body of evidence indicating that TWEAK induces the activation of the NF-kappaB in the CNS with release of proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases. In addition, inhibition of TWEAK activity by either treatment with a Fn14-Fc fusion protein or neutralizing anti-TWEAK antibodies has shown therapeutic efficacy in animal models of ischemic stroke, cerebral edema, and multiple sclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA. myepes@emory.edu
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yepes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D000074050:TWEAK Receptor
chemical_list: D016328:NF-kappa B; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; C000613297:TNFRSF12A protein, human; D000074050:TWEAK Receptor; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9