Effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines in experimental spinal cord injury

Post-traumatic inflammation following spinal cord injury

“…This is claimed to trigger the proliferative aspect of microglia activation, thus having a neuroprotective function. 5,6,98 However, injection of fibroblasts secreting hyperinterleukin-6 (cytokine growth factor, IL-6, and its alpha receptor) did result in a marked increase in number of neutrophils and in the area occupied by activated microglia and macrophages, correlating with a two-fold increase in the lesion size. 99 Following experimental SCI, transcripts of both the proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-a, IL-1b, and IL-6 and the chemokines, MIP-1a and MIP-1b, are upregulated within the first hour postinjury.…”

“…35 Whether or not inflammation is beneficial or deleterious depends not only on the cellular and soluble components but also, importantly, on the timing of the acute inflammatory process. Klusman and Schwab 6 showed that following SCI, the induction of a welltimed cytokine-specific inflammatory response in the spinal cord may be neuroprotective. 6 They demonstrated that after injecting a cytokine cocktail (TNF-a, IL-1 and IL-6) into the spinal cord 4 days after injury, there was a slight increase in the recruitment of peripheral macrophages while microglial activation was decreased.…”

“…Klusman and Schwab 6 showed that following SCI, the induction of a welltimed cytokine-specific inflammatory response in the spinal cord may be neuroprotective. 6 They demonstrated that after injecting a cytokine cocktail (TNF-a, IL-1 and IL-6) into the spinal cord 4 days after injury, there was a slight increase in the recruitment of peripheral macrophages while microglial activation was decreased. In contrast, with injection at day 1 after injury, an increase in the number of macrophages and microglial activation was observed.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] SCIinduced inflammation may result in further reduction in functional recovery because of the development of scar tissue, as well as necrosis or apoptosis of neurons and oligodendrocytes. However, a potentially beneficial role of the inflammatory process has also been reported, illustrating the dual nature of post-traumatic inflammation.…”

“…However, a potentially beneficial role of the inflammatory process has also been reported, illustrating the dual nature of post-traumatic inflammation. 6 The exact mechanism and consequences of a SCIinduced inflammatory response, with activation of central nervous system (CNS) resident microglia and recruitment of blood-born inflammatory cells, are not fully understood at present.…”