Maintenance of Lognormal-Like Skewed Dendritic Spine Size Distributions in Dentate Granule Cells of TNF, TNF-R1, TNF-R2, and TNF-R1/2-Deficient Mice.

Dendritic spines are sites of synaptic plasticity and their head size correlates with the strength of the corresponding synapse. We recently showed that the distribution of spine head sizes follows a lognormal-like distribution even after blockage of activity or plasticity induction. As the cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) influences synaptic transmission and constitutive TNF and receptor (TNF-R)-deficiencies cause changes in spine head size distributions, we tested whether these genetic alterations disrupt the lognormality of spine head sizes. Furthermore, we distinguished between spines containing the actin-modulating protein synaptopodin (SP-positive), which is present in large, strong and stable spines and those lacking it (SP-negative). Our analysis revealed that neither TNF-deficiency nor the absence of TNF-R1, TNF-R2 or TNF-R 1 and 2 (TNF-R1/R2) degrades the general lognormal-like, skewed distribution of spine head sizes (all spines, SP-positive spines, SP-negative spines). However, TNF, TNF-R1 and TNF-R2-deficiency affected the width of the lognormal distribution, and TNF-R1/2-deficiency shifted the distribution to the left. Our findings demonstrate the robustness of the lognormal-like, skewed distribution, which is maintained even in the face of genetic manipulations that alter the distribution of spine head sizes. Our observations are in line with homeostatic adaptation mechanisms of neurons regulating the distribution of spines and their head sizes.

TNF receptor 2 knockout mouse had reduced lung cancer growth and schizophrenia-like behavior through a decrease in TrkB-dependent BDNF level.

The relationship between schizophrenia (SCZ) and cancer development remains controversial. Based on the disease-gene association platform, it has been revealed that tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) could be an important mediatory factor in both cancer and SCZ development. TNF-α also increases the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) in the development of SCZ and tumor, but the role of TNFR in mediating the association between the two diseases remains unclear. We studied the vital roles of TNFR2 in the progression of tumor and SCZ-like behavior using A549 lung cancer cell xenografted TNFR2 knockout mice. TNFR2 knockout mice showed significantly decreased tumor size and weight as well as schizophrenia-like behaviors compared to wild-type mice. Consistent with the reduced tumor growth and SCZ-like behaviors, the levels of TrkB and BDNF expression were significantly decreased in the lung tumor tissues and pre-frontal cortex of TNFR2 knockout mice. However, intravenous injection of BDNF (160 µg/kg) to TNFR2 knockout mice for 4 weeks increased tumor growth and SCZ-like behaviors as well as TrkB expression. In in vitro study, significantly decreased cell growth and expression of TrkB and BDNF by siTNFR2 transfection were found in A549 lung cancer cells. However, the addition of BDNF (100 ng/ml) into TNFR2 siRNA transfected A549 lung cancer cells recovered cell growth and the expression of TrkB. These results suggest that TNFR2 could be an important factor in mediating the comorbidity between lung tumor growth and SCZ development through increased TrkB-dependent BDNF levels.

XIAP restrains TNF-driven intestinal inflammation and dysbiosis by promoting innate immune responses of Paneth and dendritic cells.

Deficiency in X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) is the cause for X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome 2 (XLP2). About one-third of these patients suffer from severe and therapy-refractory inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but the exact cause of this pathogenesis remains undefined. Here, we used XIAP-deficient mice to characterize the mechanisms underlying intestinal inflammation. In Xiap−/− mice, we observed spontaneous terminal ileitis and microbial dysbiosis characterized by a reduction of Clostridia species. We showed that in inflamed mice, both TNF receptor 1 and 2 (TNFR1/2) cooperated in promoting ileitis by targeting TLR5-expressing Paneth cells (PCs) or dendritic cells (DCs). Using intestinal organoids and in vivo modeling, we demonstrated that TLR5 signaling triggered TNF production, which induced PC dysfunction mediated by TNFR1. TNFR2 acted upon lamina propria immune cells. scRNA-seq identified a DC population expressing TLR5, in which Tnfr2 expression was also elevated. Thus, the combined activity of TLR5 and TNFR2 signaling may be responsible for DC loss in lamina propria of Xiap−/− mice. Consequently, both Tnfr1−/−Xiap−/− and Tnfr2−/−Xiap−/− mice were rescued from dysbiosis and intestinal inflammation. Furthermore, RNA-seq of ileal crypts revealed that in inflamed Xiap−/− mice, TLR5 signaling was abrogated, linking aberrant TNF responses with the development of a dysbiosis. Evidence for TNFR2 signaling driving intestinal inflammation was detected in XLP2 patient samples. Together, these data point toward a key role of XIAP in mediating resilience of TLR5-expressing PCs and intestinal DCs, allowing them to maintain tissue integrity and microbiota homeostasis.

TNFR2/14-3-3ε signaling complex instructs macrophage plasticity in inflammation and autoimmunity.

TNFR1 and TNFR2 have received prominent attention because of their dominance in the pathogenesis of inflammation and autoimmunity. TNFR1 has been extensively studied and primarily mediates inflammation. TNFR2 remains far less studied, although emerging evidence demonstrates that TNFR2 plays an antiinflammatory and immunoregulatory role in various conditions and diseases. Herein, we report that TNFR2 regulates macrophage polarization, a highly dynamic process controlled by largely unidentified intracellular regulators. Using biochemical copurification and mass spectrometry approaches, we isolated the signaling molecule 14-3-3ε as a component of TNFR2 complexes in response to progranulin stimulation in macrophages. In addition, 14-3-3ε was essential for TNFR2 signaling-mediated regulation of macrophage polarization and switch. Both global and myeloid-specific deletion of 14-3-3ε resulted in exacerbated inflammatory arthritis and counteracted the protective effects of progranulin-mediated TNFR2 activation against inflammation and autoimmunity. TNFR2/14-3-3ε signaled through PI3K/Akt/mTOR to restrict NF-κB activation while simultaneously stimulating C/EBPß activation, thereby instructing macrophage plasticity. Collectively, this study identifies 14-3-3ε as a previously unrecognized vital component of the TNFR2 receptor complex and provides new insights into the TNFR2 signaling, particularly its role in macrophage polarization with therapeutic implications for various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases with activation of the TNFR2/14-3-3ε antiinflammatory pathway.

Regulatory T Cells Expressing Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Type 2 Play a Major Role in CD4+ T-Cell Impairment During Sepsis.

Sepsis causes inflammation-induced immunosuppression with lymphopenia and alterations of CD4+ T-cell functions that renders the host prone to secondary infections. Whether and how regulatory T cells (Treg) are involved in this postseptic immunosuppression is unknown. We observed in vivo that early activation of Treg during Staphylococcus aureus sepsis induces CD4+ T-cell impairment and increases susceptibility to secondary pneumonia. The tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 positive (TNFR2pos) Treg subset endorsed the majority of effector immunosuppressive functions, and TNRF2 was particularly associated with activation of genes involved in cell cycle and replication in Treg, probably explaining their maintenance. Blocking or deleting TNFR2 during sepsis decreased the susceptibility to secondary infection. In humans, our data paralleled those in mice; the expression of CTLA-4 was dramatically increased in TNFR2pos Treg after culture in vitro with S. aureus. Our findings describe in vivo mechanisms underlying sepsis-induced immunosuppression and identify TNFR2pos Treg as targets for therapeutic intervention.

A Study of Cecal Ligation and Puncture-Induced Sepsis in Tissue-Specific Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 1-Deficient Mice.

Sepsis is a complex syndrome resulting from a dysregulated immune response to an infection. Due to the high prevalence, morbidity, and mortality, there is a lot of interest in understanding pathways that play a role in sepsis, with a focus on the immune system. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a pleiotropic pro-inflammatory cytokine and a master regulator of the immune system but clinical trials with TNF blockers in sepsis have failed to demonstrate significant protection. Since TNF stimulates two different receptors, TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) and TNFR2, pan-TNF inhibition might be suboptimal since both receptors have opposite functions in polymicrobial sepsis. Therefore, we hypothesized that TNF has a dual role in sepsis, namely a mediating and a protective role, and that protection might be obtained by TNFR1-specific inhibition. We here confirmed that TNFR1-/- mice are protected in the sterile endotoxemia model, whereas TNFR1 deficiency did not protect in the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced polymicrobial sepsis model. Since whole body TNFR1 blockage might be deleterious because of the antibacterial function of TNF/TNFR1 signaling, we focused on the potential devastating role of TNF/TNFR1 signaling in specific cell types. We were interested in the gut epithelium, the endothelium, and hepatocytes using conditional TNFR1-/- mice, as these cell types have been shown to play a role in sepsis. However, none of these conditional knockout mice showed improved survival in the CLP model. We conclude that cell-specific targeting of TNFR1 to these cell types has no therapeutic future in septic peritonitis.

TNF-α is responsible for the contribution of stromal cells to osteoclast and odontoclast formation during orthodontic tooth movement.

Compressive force during orthodontic tooth movement induces osteoclast formation in vivo. TNF-α plays an important role in mouse osteoclast formation and bone resorption induced by compressive force during orthodontic tooth movement. Stromal cells, macrophages and T cells take part in TNF-α-induced osteoclast formation in vitro. Root resorption caused by odontoclasts is a major clinical problem during orthodontic tooth movement. In this study, we determined the cell type targeted by TNF-α during compressive-force-induced osteoclast and odontoclast formation to elucidate the mechanism of bone and root resorption in vivo. An orthodontic tooth movement mouse model was prepared with a nickel-titanium closed coil spring inserted between the maxillary incisors and the first molar. Using TNF receptor 1- and 2-deficient (KO) mice, we found that osteoclast and odontoclast formation was mediated by TNF-α in orthodontic tooth movement. We generated four types of chimeric mice: wild-type (WT) bone marrow cells transplanted into lethally irradiated WT mice (WT>WT), KO bone marrow cells transplanted into lethally irradiated WT mice (KO>WT), WT bone marrow cells transplanted into lethally irradiated KO mice (WT>KO), and KO marrow cells transplanted into lethally irradiated KO mice (KO>KO). Using anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 antibodies, T cells were eliminated from these mice. We subjected these chimeric mice to orthodontic tooth movement. Orthodontic tooth movement was evaluated and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive cells along the alveolar bone (osteoclasts) and along the tooth root (odontoclasts) were counted after 12 days of tooth movement. The amount of orthodontic tooth movement, and the number of osteoclasts and odontoclasts on the compression side were significantly lower in WT>KO and KO>KO mice than in WT>WT and KO>WT mice. According to these results, we concluded that TNF-α-responsive stromal cells are important for osteoclast and odontoclast formation during orthodontic tooth movement.

TNF-α/TNFR1 Signaling is Required for the Full Expression of Acute and Chronic Itch in Mice via Peripheral and Central Mechanisms.

Increasing evidence suggests that cytokines and chemokines play crucial roles in chronic itch. In the present study, we evaluated the roles of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and its receptors TNF receptor subtype-1 (TNFR1) and TNFR2 in acute and chronic itch in mice. Compared to wild-type (WT) mice, TNFR1-knockout (TNFR1-KO) and TNFR1/R2 double-KO (DKO), but not TNFR2-KO mice, exhibited reduced acute itch induced by compound 48/80 and chloroquine (CQ). Application of the TNF-synthesis inhibitor thalidomide and the TNF-α antagonist etanercept dose-dependently suppressed acute itch. Intradermal injection of TNF-α was not sufficient to evoke scratching, but potentiated itch induced by compound 48/80, but not CQ. In addition, compound 48/80 induced TNF-α mRNA expression in the skin, while CQ induced its expression in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord. Furthermore, chronic itch induced by dry skin was reduced by administration of thalidomide and etanercept and in TNFR1/R2 DKO mice. Dry skin induced TNF-α expression in the skin, DRG, and spinal cord and TNFR1 expression only in the spinal cord. Thus, our findings suggest that TNF-α/TNFR1 signaling is required for the full expression of acute and chronic itch via peripheral and central mechanisms, and targeting TNFR1 may be beneficial for chronic itch treatment.

Mechanisms of Retinal Damage after Ocular Alkali Burns.

Alkali burns to the eye constitute a leading cause of worldwide blindness. In recent case series, corneal transplantation revealed unexpected damage to the retina and optic nerve in chemically burned eyes. We investigated the physical, biochemical, and immunological components of retinal injury after alkali burn and explored a novel neuroprotective regimen suitable for prompt administration in emergency departments. Thus, in vivo pH, oxygen, and oxidation reduction measurements were performed in the anterior and posterior segment of mouse and rabbit eyes using implantable microsensors. Tissue inflammation was assessed by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. The experiments confirmed that the retinal damage is not mediated by direct effect of the alkali, which is effectively buffered by the anterior segment. Rather, pH, oxygen, and oxidation reduction changes were restricted to the cornea and the anterior chamber, where they caused profound uveal inflammation and release of proinflammatory cytokines. The latter rapidly diffuse to the posterior segment, triggering retinal damage. Tumor necrosis factor-α was identified as a key proinflammatory mediator of retinal ganglion cell death. Blockade, by either monoclonal antibody or tumor necrosis factor receptor gene knockout, reduced inflammation and retinal ganglion cell loss. Intraocular pressure elevation was not observed in experimental alkali burns. These findings illuminate the mechanism by which alkali burns cause retinal damage and may have importance in designing therapies for retinal protection.

Sensitizing leukemia stem cells to NF-κB inhibitor treatment in vivo by inactivation of both TNF and IL-1 signaling.

We previously reported that autocrine TNF-α (TNF) is responsible for JNK pathway activation in a subset of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patient samples, providing a survival/proliferation signaling parallel to NF-κB in AML stem cells (LSCs). In this study, we report that most TNF-expressing AML cells (LCs) also express another pro-inflammatory cytokine, IL1ß, which acts in a parallel manner. TNF was produced primarily by LSCs and leukemic progenitors (LPs), whereas IL1ß was mainly produced by partially differentiated leukemic blasts (LBs). IL1ß also stimulates an NF-κB-independent pro-survival and proliferation signal through activation of the JNK pathway. We determined that co-inhibition of signaling stimulated by both TNF and IL1ß synergizes with NF-κB inhibition in eliminating LSCs both ex vivo and in vivo. Our studies show that such treatments are most effective in M4/5 subtypes of AML.

Regulation of myocardial stromal cell-derived factor 1α/CXCL12 by tumor necrosis factor signaling.

BACKGROUND: Global myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) occurs during cardiac operations. This I/R injury leads to increased production of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF) instantly and upregulated expression of stromal cell-derived factor 1 α (SDF-1). On the basis of the published data from our laboratory and other groups, locally produced TNF contributes to cardiac dysfunction mainly via binding to its receptor (tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 [TNFR1]), whereas ischemia-induced myocardial SDF-1 mediates cardioprotection. Although TNF has been shown to work as an upstream initiator for induction of other cytokines and chemokines, there is no information regarding the interaction among TNF, TNFRs, and myocardial SDF-1 expression. In this study, given that TNF downregulated SDF-1 in vascular endothelial cells, we therefore hypothesized that TNF would have a negative effect on myocardial SDF-1 production, which is attributable to TNFR-initiated actions. METHODS: Using a Langendorff model, isolated male mouse hearts were infused with TNF for 45 min. Male adult mouse hearts from wild type, TNFR1 knockout (TNFR1KO), TNFR2KO, and TNFR1/2KO were subjected to global I/R. H9c2 cells with small interfering RNA transfection were used as an in vitro model. The levels of SDF-1 (protein and messenger RNA) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction . Protein kinases of IκB (nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor α) and c-jun N-terminal kinase were also determined using Western blot assay. RESULTS: TNF infusion downregulated myocardial SDF-1 production in a dose-dependent manner in the hearts. In addition, using TNF significantly decreased SDF-1 expression in cardiomyoblasts (H9c2 cells), which was associated with reduced IκB level. Knockdown of TNFR1 or TNFR2 by small interfering RNAs neutralized TNF-suppressed SDF-1 in H9c2 cells. Furthermore, deletion of TNFR1/2 or TNFR2 increased SDF-1 production in the hearts after I/R. CONCLUSIONS: Our study represents the initial evidence showing that TNF plays an inhibitory role in modulating myocardial SDF-1 production and blockade of TNF signaling by ablation of TNFR1 and TNFR2 genes increased SDF-1 expression in the heart. These data expand on TNF signaling-initiated mechanisms in myocardium, which may lend a more complete understanding of SDF-1 and TNFR-derived actions in hopes of advancing ischemic heart injury treatments.

Multiorgan chronic inflammatory hepatobiliary pancreatic murine model deficient in tumor necrosis factor receptors 1 and 2.

AIM: To provoke persistent/chronic multiorgan inflammatory response and to contribute to stones formation followed by fibrosis in hepatobiliary and pancreatic tissues. METHODS: Tumor necrosis factor receptors 1 and 2 (TNFR1/R2) deficient mice reared in-house were given dibutyltin dichloride (DBTC) twice within 10 d by oral gavage delivery. Sham control animals received vehicle treatment and naïve animals remained untreated throughout the study. Animals were monitored daily for symptoms of pain and discomfort. The abdominal and hindpaw hypersensitivity were assessed with von Frey microfilaments. Exploratory behaviors were recorded at the baseline, after initiation of treatment, and before study termination. Histopathological changes were examined postmortem in tissues. Collagen accumulation and fibrosis were confirmed with Sirius Red staining. RESULTS: Animals lost weight after oral administration of DBTC and developed persistent inflammatory abdominal and hindpaw hypersensitivity compared to sham-treated controls (P < 0.0001). These pain related secondary mechanical hypersensitivity responses increased more than 2-fold in DBTC-treated animals. The drastically diminished rearing and grooming rates persisted after DBTC administration throughout the study. Gross as well as micropathology at one month confirmed that animals treated with DBTC developed chronic hepatobiliary injuries evidenced with activation of stellate cells, multifocal necrosis, fatty degeneration of hepatocytes, periportal infiltration of inflammatory cells, and prominent biliary ductal dilation. The severity of hepatitis was scored 3.7 ± 0.2 (severe) in DBTC-treated animals vs score 0 (normal) in sham-treated animals. Fibrotic thickening was extensive around portal ducts, in hepatic parenchyma as well as in lobular pancreatic structures and confirmed with Sirius Red histopathology. In addition, pancreatic microarchitecture was presented with distortion of islets, and parenchyma, infiltration of inflammatory cells, degeneration, vacuolization, and necrosis of acinar cells and distention of pancreatic ducts. Extent of pancreatic damage and pancreatitis were scored 3.6 ± 0.4 (severe) for DBTC-treated in contrast to score 0 (normal) in sham-treated animals. The gall bladder became expanded with ductal distention, and occasional bile stones were detected along with microscopic hepatic lesions. DBTC-treated animals developed splenic hypertrophy with increased weight and length (P < 0.01) along with thymic atrophy (P < 0.001). Finally, colitic lesions and colitis were prominent in DBTC-treated animals and scored 3.4 ± 0.3 (moderately severe) vs 0 (normal) for the sham-treated animals. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of chronic inflammatory multiorgan hepatobiliary pancreatitis, along with fibrosis and calculi formation induced reliably utilizing oral DBTC administration in TNFR1/R2 deficient mice.

Role of melatonin, melatonin receptors and STAT3 in the cardioprotective effect of chronic and moderate consumption of red wine.

We have recently discovered that melatonin, given acutely and directly to the isolated heart at the concentration found in wine, confers cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). However, whether the presence of melatonin in wine contributes to the cardioprotective effect of chronic and moderate consumption of wine and its signalling mechanisms of protection are unknown. We therefore used both in vivo and in vitro models of I/R to investigate whether the presence of melatonin in red wine may contribute to the cardioprotective effect of chronic and moderate consumption of red wine. Wistar rats and C57black6 mice (WT) received drinking water supplemented daily with a moderate amount of red wine or melatonin given at the concentration found in the red wine. Rats were also pretreated with luzindole, a specific inhibitor of melatonin receptors 1 and 2 (2.3 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally) or prazosin, a specific inhibitor of melatonin receptor type 3 (2.5 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally). After 14 days, hearts were subjected to I/R in vivo or ex vivo. Red wine reduced the infarct size in both rats and WT mice (p < 0.001). Luzindole did not affect wine-induced cardioprotection, while prazosin reduced the infarct sparing effect of red wine (p < 0.05). Furthermore, red wine or melatonin failed to protect tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) receptor 2 knockout or cardiomyocyte specific signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) deficient mice (n.s. vs. control). Our novel findings suggest that the presence of melatonin in red wine contributes to the cardioprotective effect of chronic and moderate consumption of red wine against lethal I/R injuries. This effect is most likely mediated, at least in part, via melatonin receptor 3 and the activation of TNF and STAT3, both key players of the prosurvival and well described SAFE pathway.

Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 2 Restricts the Pathogenicity of CD8(+) T Cells in Mice With Colitis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2, Tnfrsf1b) regulates multiple aspects of immune function, but little is known about its role in the immunopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We investigated whether TNFR2 restricts the activity of specific immune cell subtypes to protect against the development of colitis in mice. METHODS: Tnfr2(-/-) mice were crossed with interleukin (Il) 10(-/-) mice, which spontaneously develop colitis, to generate Il10(-/-)Tnfr2(-/-) mice. Colonic tissues were collected from Il10(-/-)Tnfr2(-/-) mice along with Il10(-/-) mice (controls) and analyzed by flow cytometry and histology. Bone marrow was transplanted into Il10(-/-) and Il10(-/-)Tnfr2(-/-) mice from Il10(-/-) or Il10(-/-)Tnfr2(-/-) donors by intravenous injection. CD8(+) T cells were neutralized in Il10(-/-)Tnfr2(-/-) mice by intraperitoneal injection of anti-CD8 or isotype control antibodies. Colitis was induced in Rag2(-/-) mice by intravenous injections of naïve CD8(+) T cells isolated from C57BL/6 or Tnfr2(-/-) mice. RESULTS: Il10(-/-)Tnfr2(-/-) mice spontaneously developed more severe colitis compared with Il10(-/-) controls, characterized by selective expansion of colonic CD8(+) T cells. Transplantation of TNFR2-deficient bone marrow resulted in significantly increased incidence and severity of colitis. Transcriptome analyses showed that the expression of genes regulated by TNFR2 were specific to CD8(+) T cells and included genes associated with risk for IBD. Depletion of CD8(+) T cells from Il10(-/-)Tnfr2(-/-) mice prevented colonic inflammation. Adoptive transfer of TNFR2-null naïve CD8(+) T cells compared with CD8(+) T cells from control mice increased the severity of colitis that developed in Rag2(-/-) mice. CONCLUSIONS: TNFR2 protects mice from colitis by inhibiting the expansion of colonic CD8(+) T cells. TNFR2 regulates expression of genes that regulate CD8(+) T cells and have been associated with susceptibility to IBD. Disruption in TNFR2 signaling might therefore be associated with pathogenesis. Strategies to increase levels or activity of TNFR2 and thereby reduce the activity of CD8(+) T cells might be developed to treat IBD patients with CD8(+) T cell dysfunction.

TNF signals are dispensable for the generation of CD23+ CD21/35-high CD1d-high B cells in inflamed lymph nodes.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a key cytokine in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis, as underscored by the clinical effectiveness of TNF antagonists. While several of TNF's key targets in RA are well understood, its many pleiotropic effects remain to be elucidated. TNF-transgenic mice develop inflammatory-erosive arthritis associated with disruption of draining lymph node histology and function, and accumulation of B cells with unique phenotypic and functional features consistent with contribution to pathogenesis (B cells in inflamed nodes, Bin). Bin cell induction depends on the inflamed microenvironment, but the specific signals are unknown. Using anti-TNF treatment and TNF-receptor-deficient mice, here we show that Bin cells are induced and maintained independently of B cell-intrinsic TNF signals.

Lack of TNF-alpha receptor type 2 protects motor neurons in a cellular model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and in mutant SOD1 mice but does not affect disease progression.

Changes in the homeostasis of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) have been demonstrated in patients and experimental models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the contribution of TNFα to the development of ALS is still debated. TNFα is expressed by glia and neurons and acts through the membrane receptors TNFR1 and TNFR2, which may have opposite effects in neurodegeneration. We investigated the role of TNFα and its receptors in the selective motor neuron death in ALS in vitro and in vivo. TNFR2 expressed by astrocytes and neurons, but not TNFR1, was implicated in motor neuron loss in primary SOD1-G93A co-cultures. Deleting TNFR2 from SOD1-G93A mice, there was partial but significant protection of spinal motor neurons, sciatic nerves, and tibialis muscles. However, no improvement of motor impairment or survival was observed. Since the sciatic nerves of SOD1-G93A/TNFR2-/- mice showed high phospho-TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) accumulation and low levels of acetyl-tubulin, two indices of axonal dysfunction, the lack of symptom improvement in these mice might be due to impaired function of rescued motor neurons. These results indicate the interaction between TNFR2 and membrane-bound TNFα as an innovative pathway involved in motor neuron death. Nevertheless, its inhibition is not sufficient to stop disease progression in ALS mice, underlining the complexity of this pathology. We show evidence of the involvement of neuronal and astroglial TNFR2 in the motor neuron degeneration in ALS. Both concur to cause motor neuron death in primary astrocyte/spinal neuron co-cultures. TNFR2 deletion partially protects motor neurons and sciatic nerves in SOD1-G93A mice but does not improve their symptoms and survival. However, TNFR2 could be a new target for multi-intervention therapies.

Genetic deletion of TNFR2 augments inflammatory response and blunts satellite-cell-mediated recovery response in a hind limb ischemia model.

We have previously shown that TNF-tumor necrosis factor receptor-2/p75 (TNFR2/p75) signaling plays a critical role in ischemia-induced neovascularization in skeletal muscle and heart tissues. To determine the role of TNF-TNFR2/p75 signaling in ischemia-induced inflammation and muscle regeneration, we subjected wild-type (WT) and TNFR2/p75 knockout (p75KO) mice to hind limb ischemia (HLI) surgery. Ischemia induced significant and long-lasting inflammation associated with considerable decrease in satellite-cell activation in p75KO muscle tissue up to 10 d after HLI surgery. To determine the possible additive negative roles of tissue aging and the absence of TNFR2/p75, either in the tissue or in the bone marrow (BM), we generated 2 chimeric BM transplantation (BMT) models where both young green fluorescent protein (GFP)-positive p75KO and WT BM-derived cells were transplanted into adult p75KO mice. HLI surgery was performed 1 mo after BMT, after confirming complete engraftment of the recipient BM with GFP donor cells. In adult p75KO with the WT-BMT, proliferative (Ki67(+)) cells were detected only by d 28 and were exclusively GFP(+), suggesting significantly delayed contribution of young WT-BM cell to adult p75KO ischemic tissue recovery. No GFP(+) young p75KO BM cells survived in adult p75KO tissue, signifying the additive negative roles of tissue aging combined with decreased/absent TNFR2/p75 signaling in postischemic recovery.

PGRN protects against colitis progression in mice in an IL-10 and TNFR2 dependent manner.

This study was aimed to determine the role and regulation of progranulin (PGRN) in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-, picrylsulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced, bone marrow chimera and CD4+CD45Rb(hi) T cell transfer colitis model were established and analyzed in wild-type and several genetically-modified mice, including PGRN, IL-10 and TNFR2 deficient mice. Elevated levels of PGRN were found in colitis samples from human IBD patients and mouse colitis models in comparison to the corresponding controls. PGRN-deficient mice became highly susceptible to DSS- and TNBS-induced colitis, whereas recombinant PGRN ameliorated the pathology and reduced the histological score in both DSS and TNBS colitis models. In addition, hematopoietic-derived PGRN was critical for protection against DSS-induced colitis, and lack of PGRN signaling in CD4+ T cells also exacerbated experimental colitis. PGRN-mediated protective effect in colitis was compromised in the absence of IL-10 signaling. In addition, PGRN's effect was also largely lost in the TNFR2-deficient colitis model. Collectively, these findings not only provide the new insight into PGRN's anti-inflammatory action in vivo, but may also present PGRN and its derivatives as novel biological agent for treating IBD.

TNF-TNFR2/p75 signaling inhibits early and increases delayed nontargeted effects in bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells.

TNF-α, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is highly expressed after being irradiated (IR) and is implicated in mediating radiobiological bystander responses (RBRs). Little is known about specific TNF receptors in regulating TNF-induced RBR in bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (BM-EPCs). Full body γ-IR WT BM-EPCs showed a biphasic response: slow decay of p-H2AX foci during the initial 24 h and increase between 24 h and 7 days post-IR, indicating a significant RBR in BM-EPCs in vivo. Individual TNF receptor (TNFR) signaling in RBR was evaluated in BM-EPCs from WT, TNFR1/p55KO, and TNFR2/p75KO mice, in vitro. Compared with WT, early RBR (1-5 h) were inhibited in p55KO and p75KO EPCs, whereas delayed RBR (3-5 days) were amplified in p55KO EPCs, suggesting a possible role for TNFR2/p75 signaling in delayed RBR. Neutralizing TNF in γ-IR conditioned media (CM) of WT and p55KO BM-EPCs largely abolished RBR in both cell types. ELISA protein profiling of WT and p55KO EPC γ-IR-CM over 5 days showed significant increases in several pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1α (Interleukin-1 alpha), RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted), and MCP-1. In vitro treatments with murine recombinant (rm) TNF-α and rmIL-1α, but not rmMCP-1 or rmRANTES, increased the formation of p-H2AX foci in nonirradiated p55KO EPCs. We conclude that TNF-TNFR2 signaling may induce RBR in naïve BM-EPCs and that blocking TNF-TNFR2 signaling may prevent delayed RBR in BM-EPCs, conceivably, in bone marrow milieu in general.