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Endogenous interleukin-1 receptor antagonist is neuroprotective.
Loddick S, Wong M, Bongiorno P, Gold P, Licinio J, Rothwell NJ
Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1997;234( 1):211-5.
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Abstract
Interleukin-1 (IL-1) has been implicated in chronic and acute cerebral neuropathologies. IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), a naturally occurring protein that binds to IL-1 receptors without inducing signal transduction, blocks several actions of IL-1. IL-1ra acts at the local level and it also circulates in the bloodstream. We now report evidence for a biological function of IL-1ra in the brain as an endogenous neuroprotective molecule. Cerebral expression of IL-1ra mRNA is induced rapidly by focal cerebral ischemia in rats, and inhibition of the action of IL-1ra, by passive immuno-neutralization, markedly enhances ischemic damage. To our knowledge this is the first report of an action of endogenous IL-1ra in the brain. Control of IL-1ra expression or action may therefore provide a useful therapeutic strategy to limit acute neurodegeneration.
Keyword(s)
Animals; Gene Expression Regulation; In Situ Hybridization; Male; Neuroprotective Agents; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; antagonists & inhibitors: Receptors, Interleukin-1; genetics: Sialoglycoproteins; immunology: Antibodies; metabolism: Brain; metabolism: Ischemic Attack, Transient; metabolism: RNA, Messenger; pharmacology: Interleukin-1