Gjc. Wilde et al., Attenuation and augmentation of ischaemia-related neuronal death by tumournecrosis factor-alpha in vitro, EUR J NEURO, 12(11), 2000, pp. 3863-3870
Upregulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor-alpha
(TNF) occurs rapidly in the brain following ischaemia, although it is uncle
ar whether this represents a neurotoxic or neuroprotective response. We hav
e investigated whether TNF has different actions in the pre- and postischae
mic periods in a tissue culture model of cerebral ischaemia. Organotypic hi
ppocampal slice cultures were prepared from 8-10-day-old rats and maintaine
d in vitro for 14 days. Neuronal damage was induced by either 1 h oxygen-gl
ucose deprivation or 3 h exposure to NMDA or the superoxide generator duroq
uinone, and assessed after 24 h by propidium iodide fluorescence. TNF pretr
eatment was neuroprotective against both oxygen-glucose deprivation and dur
oquinone. This effect was associated with an activation of the transcriptio
n factor NF kappaB and upregulation of manganese superoxide dismutase, and
was prevented by a free radical scavenger. When addition of TNF was delayed
until the postinsult period, an exacerbation of neurotoxicity occurred, wh
ich was also prevented by a free radical scavenger. The actions of TNF are
determined by whether TNF is present before or after an ischaemia-related i
nsult. Both actions are mediated through the production of free radicals, a
nd the response to TNF is determined by whether a cell is metabolically com
petent to respond by synthesis of antioxidant defences.