Stay clear of TNF therapy.

Opposing Functions of Microglial and Macrophagic TNFR2 in the Pathogenesis of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis.Gao H, Danzi MC, Choi CS, Taherian M, Dalby-Hansen C, Ellman DG, Madsen PM, Bixby JL, Lemmon VP, Lambertsen KL, Brambilla R.Cell Rep. 2017;18(1):198-212

In multiple sclerosis (MS), soluble tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is detrimental via activation of TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1), whereas transmembrane TNF is beneficial primarily by activating TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2). Here, we investigate the role of TNFR2 in microglia and monocytes/macrophages in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model of MS, by cell-specific gene targeting. We show that TNFR2 ablation in microglia leads to early onset of EAE with increased leukocyte infiltration, T cell activation, and demyelination in the central nervous system (CNS). Conversely, TNFR2 ablation in monocytes/macrophages results in EAE suppression with impaired peripheral T cell activation and reduced CNS T cell infiltration and demyelination. Our work uncovers a dichotomy of function for TNFR2 in myeloid cells, with microglial TNFR2 providing protective signals to contain disease and monocyte/macrophagic TNFR2 driving immune activation and EAE initiation. This must be taken into account when targeting TNFR2 for therapeutic purposes in neuroinflammatory diseases.


Blockade of tumor necrosis factor makes MS worse, so only a brave-person would go anywhere near TNF therapy and this is yet another reason to stay clear. Block the TNF receptor in microglia and it mays EAE worse and do the same in monocytes and it makes it better...stay well clear as it is a therapeutic cul-de-sac. However, blocking TNF tells us something about MS, because it makes MS worse. Why is this? Is this because TNF is involved in nerve signallying an blockage causes loss of nerve function? or is it something else that may tell us have trigger MS?....I think yes

The Tumor Necrosis Factor receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) is a protein superfamily of cytokine receptors characterized by the ability to bind tumor necrosis factors (TNFs) 
In their active form, the majority of TNF receptors form trimeric complexes in the plasma membrane. Accordingly, most TNF receptors contain transmembrane domains (TMDs), although some can be cleaved into soluble forms (e.g. TNFR1), and some lack a TMD entirely (e.g. DcR3). In addition, most TNF receptors require specific adaptor protein such as TRADDTRAFRIP and FADD for downstream signalling. TNF receptors are primarily involved in apoptosis and inflammation, but they can also take part in other signal transduction pathways, such as proliferation, survival, and differentiation. TNF receptors are expressed in a wide variety of tissues in mammals, especially in leukocytes.
The term death receptor refers to those members of the TNF receptor superfamily that contain a death domain, such as TNFR1, Fas receptorDR4 and DR5. They were named after the fact that they seemed to play an important role in apoptosis (programmed cell death).
In the strict sense, the term TNF receptor is often used to refer to the archetypal members of the superfamily, namely TNFR1 and TNFR2, which recognize TNF-alpha.
Tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1), also known as tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1A (TNFRSF1A) and CD120a, is a ubiquitous membrane receptor that binds tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα).
Tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2), also known as tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1B (TNFRSF1B) and CD120b, is a membrane receptor that binds tumor necrosis factor-alpha

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