Heinrich, Körner, Riminton, D. Sean, Strickland, Deborah H., Lemckert, Frances A., Pollard, John D., and Sedgwick, Jonathon D. (1997) Critical points of tumor necrosis factor action in central nervous system autoimmune inflammation defined by gene targeting. The Journal of Experimental Medicine, 189 (9). pp. 1585-1590.

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Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)–dependent sites of action in the generation of autoimmune inflammation have been defined by targeted disruption of TNF in the C57BL/6 mouse strain. C57BL/6 mice are susceptible to an inflammatory, demyelinating form of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced by the 35–55 peptide of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. Direct targeting of a strain in which EAE was inducible was necessary, as the location of the TNF gene renders segregation of the mutated allele from the original major histocompatibility complex by backcrossing virtually impossible. In this way a single gene effect was studied. We show here that TNF is obligatory for normal initiation of the neurological deficit, as demonstrated by a significant (6 d) delay in disease in its absence relative to wild-type (WT) mice. During this delay, comparable numbers of leukocytes were isolated from the perfused central nervous system (CNS) of WT and TNF−/− mice. However, in the TNF−/− mice, immunohistological analysis of CNS tissue indicated that leukocytes failed to form the typical mature perivascular cuffs observed in WT mice at this same time point. Severe EAE, including paralysis and widespread CNS perivascular inflammation, eventually developed without TNF. TNF−/− and WT mice recovered from the acute illness at the same time, such that the overall disease course in TNF−/− mice was only 60% of the course in control mice. Primary demyelination occurred in both WT and TNF−/− mice, although it was of variable magnitude. These results are consistent with the TNF dependence of processes controlling initial leukocyte movement within the CNS. Nevertheless, potent alternative mechanisms exist to mediate all other phases of EAE.

Item ID:	14896
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1540-9538
Date Deposited:	07 Nov 2010 23:05
FoR Codes:	11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1107 Immunology > 110709 Tumour Immunology @ 100%
SEO Codes:	97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970111 Expanding Knowledge in the Medical and Health Sciences @ 100%
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