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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Transfer of Manipulated Tumor-associated Neutrophils into Tumor-Bearing Mice to Study their Angiogenic Potential In Vivo
Published on: July 20, 2019
Type I interferon drives tumor necrosis factor-induced lethal shock
Liesbeth Huys1, Filip Van Hauwermeiren, Lien Dejager
1Department for Molecular Biomedical Research, VIB, Ghent B9052, Belgium.
Type I interferons (IFNs) are crucial mediators of lethal responses to tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Blocking type I IFN signaling protects against TNF-induced inflammatory shock, suggesting safer therapeutic applications for TNF.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Inflammation Research
Background:
- Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) exhibits potent antitumor properties but also induces severe inflammation.
- TNF is a key mediator in inflammatory diseases and can cause systemic inflammatory response syndrome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of type I interferons (IFNs) in mediating the lethal effects of TNF.
- To determine if blocking type I IFN signaling could offer protection against TNF-induced toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized gene-deficient mice lacking type I IFN signaling components (IFNAR-1 or IFN-beta).
- Administered TNF and assessed survival, hypothermia, organ damage (liver, bowels), apoptosis, and immune cell infiltration.
- Conducted extensive gene expression analysis in liver tissues.
Main Results:
- Mice deficient in type I IFN signaling (IFNAR-1(-/-)) showed remarkable resistance to TNF-induced lethality and hypothermia.
- IFNAR-1(-/-) mice exhibited reduced IL-6 production, less bowel damage, and decreased apoptosis in liver and intestinal cells.
- Gene expression analysis revealed diminished TNF response, particularly for IFN-stimulated response element-dependent genes, and reduced white blood cell infiltration in knockout mice.
Conclusions:
- Type I IFNs are essential mediators of TNF-induced lethal inflammatory shock.
- Deficiency in type I IFN signaling protects against TNF toxicity, potentially enabling safer therapeutic use of TNF for cancer treatment.
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