[Effects of interferon-gamma on the central nervous system]

Pleotropic cytokine IFN-gamma is synthesized not only by activated immunocompetent cells but also by elements of CNS (endothelial cells of brain, glial cells, neurons). Primary structure of neuronal and immune IFN-gamma are similar. The molecular identity of this cytokine receptors on neuronal and immune cells is found. These facts testify of interrelation of two physiological systems. The central effects of IFN-gamma are realized in modulation both immune and controle-regulation processes. One of important immunomodulation properties of IFN-gamma is its ability to induce expression of antigenes of MHC class II on neuronal cells, which is characteristic only for this cytokine. The participation of IFN-gamma in immune reactions of CNS also is carried out at the expense of amplification under its influence of superoxide production, NO and prostaglandine synthesis, expression in astrocytes and microglial cells of ICAM adgesive molecule. Control-regulation function of cytokine is realized at level of cell elements of brain, nerve/endocrine system. Auto/parakrine activity of neuronal IFN-gamma is directed on maintenance homeostasis in CNS. It participates in regulation of processes connected to the daily allowance biorhythmes, it is revealed in work of "internal clocks". The cytokine participation in immunogenesis processes [symbol: see text] and control-regulation reactions has a number of common mechanisms. IFN-gamma is immunomodulator and from an other hand it is neuromodulator.