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Expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha in the developing nervous system
R L Gendron1, F P Nestel, W S Lapp
1Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
The International Journal of Neuroscience
|September 1, 1991
Summary
Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is transiently expressed in specific areas of the developing vertebrate nervous system. This suggests TNF-alpha plays a role in normal brain and spinal cord development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
Background:
- Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is a cytokine with known roles in inflammation and immunity.
- Its specific functions during embryonic development, particularly in the nervous system, are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns of TNF-alpha during vertebrate embryogenesis.
- To determine if TNF-alpha is localized to specific regions of the developing nervous system.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of TNF-alpha expression in murine and chick embryos during key developmental stages.
- Utilized immunohistochemistry to detect TNF-alpha in neural tissues.
- Performed Western immunoblot analysis to confirm protein presence and size.
Main Results:
- Transient expression of TNF-alpha was observed in defined areas of the developing nervous system in both mouse and chick embryos.
- Specific locations included the brain, neural tube, peripheral nerves, brain neuroepithelium, and developing Purkinje neurons.
- A 50 kDa protein reactive to anti-TNF-alpha antibodies was detected in embryonic brain tissue.
Conclusions:
- TNF-alpha is transiently expressed in specific neural tissues during vertebrate embryogenesis.
- These findings indicate a potential role for TNF-alpha in the normal development of the vertebrate brain and spinal cord.