Neuroreport · 1996 · 27 citations · 0 references
Life SciencesImmunologyNeuroscienceInflammationInnate ImmunityNeuroimmunologyCytokine BiologyCytokine RegulationInflammatory SignalingMicroglia BiologyNeuroimmune RegulationNeuroinflammationInflammatory Cytokine ProfilesMicroglia ActivationMicroglial Gene ExpressionMicroglial PhysiologyNeuroinflammatory Cytokine ResponsesNeuroinflammatory CytokinesProinflammatory Cytokine ModulationProinflammatory Mediators
In this study, cytokine mRNA profiles in microglia from newborn rats were detected by in situ hybridization. Under natural culture conditions, microglia expressed the immunosuppressive transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) and interleukin (IL) 10 to a greater degree than the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-12, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and TNF-alpha. High TGF-beta 1 and IL-10 levels could reflect one mechanism for immune privilege within the CNS under physiological conditions. Stimulation of microglia with LPS or IFN gamma resulted in strong up-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines, while TGF-beta 1 and IL-10 were down-regulated. These effects of LPS or IFN-gamma are anticipated to reflect immunopathogenic processes within the CNS.