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PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
1993-6-21
pubmed:abstractText
Elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) and other cytokines and eicosanoids in the central nervous system (CNS) have been noted in several human neurologic diseases, including multiple sclerosis and AIDS dementia. Recently it was shown that glial cells, especially astrocytes, are a major source of cytokines and eicosanoids. In the present study we have shown that astrocytes derived from fetal rat brain triggered by mycoplasmas produce TNF alpha and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Addition of mycoplasma (Mycoplasma capricolum isolated from sheep and M. fermentans KL-4 from human) at a concentration of 1-50 micrograms protein/ml (2 x 10(7)-10(9) colony forming units/ml), as well as lipopolysaccharide (5 micrograms/ml), led to a 200-500-fold increase in TNF alpha and a 2.5-4.5-fold increase in PGE2 production. Preincubation of the cells with the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone (2 x 10(-5)-2 x 10(-8) M), as well as with the natural hormone, corticosterone, markedly inhibited the secretion of both TNF alpha and PGE2. Thus, mycoplasmas can be added to the wide variety of agents that stimulate glial cells to produce cytokines and eicosanoids, and may contribute to various CNS pathological manifestations. In addition, the ability of glucocorticoids to inhibit particularly the stimulated productions of TNF alpha and PGE2 may explain at least in part the therapeutic benefit of these agents in CNS inflammation and demyelination.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Apr
pubmed:issn
0006-8993
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
16
pubmed:volume
608
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
273-9
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1993
pubmed:articleTitle
Stimulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha production by mycoplasmas and inhibition by dexamethasone in cultured astrocytes.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Neurology, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't