Neuronal IFN-gamma in tuberomammillary neurones

Neuronal interferon-gamma (N-IFN-gamma), recently isolated from the nervous system, has a molecular weight distinct from that of lymphocyte-derived IFN-gamma, but crossreacts immunologically and shares certain bioactivities with this cytokine. In the rat brain N-IFN-gamma-immunoreactive perikarya were concentrated in the hypothalamic tuberomammillary nuclei; some immunostained neurones were also detected in the dorsal pontine tegmentum. Immunopositive nerve fibres were profusely distributed through the periventricular hypothalamus and midline thalamus. Scattered fibres occurred diffusely through the brain, ramified in the subpial layer and also surrounded intrathecal vessels. A dense concentration of puncta was detected in the suprachiasmatic nuclei and in the molecular layer of the hippocampal dentate gyrus. A role of N-IFN-gamma in immunological reactions and in modulation of selective brain functions is suggested.