Abstract
Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is a pleotropic cytokine released by T-lymphocytes and natural killer cells. Normally, these cells do not traverse the blood-brain barrier at appreciable levels and, as such, IFN-γ is generally undetectable within the central nervous system (CNS). Nevertheless, in response to CNS infections, as well as during certain disorders in which the CNS is affected, T-cell traffic across the blood-brain barrier increases considerably, thereby exposing neuronal and glial cells to the potent effects of IFN-γ. A large portion of this article is devoted to the substantial circumstantial and experimental evidence that suggests that IFN-γ plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the demyelinating disorder multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). Moreover, the biochemical and physiological effects of IFN-γ are discussed in the context of the potential consequences of such activities on the developing and mature nervous systems.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 19-35 |
| Number of pages | 17 |
| Journal | Molecular Neurobiology |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue number | 1-2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1997 |
Funding
We thank numerous colleagues for many helpful discussions that guided the formulation of the ideas presented here. We also thank Kathy Toews for assistance in preparing the manuscript. The IFN-? work in Brian Popko's laboratory has been supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grant ROI NS34939, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society research grant RG 2089. J. D. is supported by a training grant HD07201 from the NIH. B. P. is a recipient of an NIH Research Career Development Award (NS 01637) from NINDS.
Keywords
- Cytokines
- Demyelination
- Neural development
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neurology
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience