Interleukin-1 activity in lesioned peripheral nerve

Shlomo Rotshenker*, Suhail Aamar, Vivi Barak

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

119 Scopus citations

Abstract

The cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) is involved in a wide range of inflammatory and immune responses. As such, IL-1 could play a role in peripheral nerve repair mechanisms. Specifically, by its already established properties as a regulator of nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis, and as a chemotactant to macrophages. We examined, therefore, IL-1 production in injured mouse peripheral nerve. Injured nerve segments were incubated in serum free medium to produce conditioned medium (CM) that was then tested for IL-1 activity in a thymocyte proliferation assay. CM induced thymocyte proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Proliferation was inhibited by the M20 IL-1 inhibitor, the IL-1 receptor antagonist, and antisera raised against recombinant mouse IL-1α. Inhibitions produced by these three specific inhibitors of IL-1-induced thymocyte proliferation strongly suggest that proliferation induced by CM was mediated largely by IL-1 secreted by non-neuronal cells residing in the damaged nerve. IL-1 activity was detected within hours after lesion, and 1 week thereafter. The rapid and prolonged production of IL-1 indicates that IL-1-dependent mechanisms can play roles in the response of the peripheral nerve to injury: degeneration and regeneration. The regulation of NGF synthesis, and the recruitment of white blood cells, macrophages in particular, from blood into the damaged nerve tissue, are two such mechanisms.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)75-80
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Neuroimmunology
Volume39
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1992
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Interleukin-1
  • Macrophage
  • Nerve degeneration
  • Nerve growth factor
  • Nerve regeneration

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Interleukin-1 activity in lesioned peripheral nerve'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this