Interleukin-1 in the central nervous system: from physiology to pathology

A classification on the basis of time-course effect is proposed to describe the pleiotropic actions of interleukin-1 (IL-1) on the central nervous system (CNS); two main time-frames, minutes-to-days and days-to-years, are distinguished. The former includes the central aspects of acute-phase response...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inTherapie Vol. 55; no. 1; p. 171
Main Authors Tringali, G, Dello Russo, C, Preziosi, P, Navarra, P
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published France 01.01.2000
Subjects
Animals
Central Nervous System - pathology
Central Nervous System - physiology
Humans
Interleukin-1 - physiology
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:A classification on the basis of time-course effect is proposed to describe the pleiotropic actions of interleukin-1 (IL-1) on the central nervous system (CNS); two main time-frames, minutes-to-days and days-to-years, are distinguished. The former includes the central aspects of acute-phase response with fever, altered food and water intake, sleepiness, sickness behaviour and neuroendocrine changes. Apart from stress response triggered by immune-inflammatory stimuli, the concept that IL-1 mediates other types of stress is also reviewed, showing that the cytokine may have a role in mediating hypothalamic responses to restrain stress and nociceptive stimuli. The days-to-years time-frame includes several CNS disorders accompanied by inappropriate and/or sustainedly elevated IL-beta production: ischaemia, Alzheimer's disease, HIV-related dementia and experimental allergic encephalomyelitis-multiple sclerosis. In all cases, IL-beta is not envisioned as an aetiological factor, but it contributes significantly to the maintenance of disease state. Current and perspective therapeutic approaches involving the modulation of IL-beta production and effects are briefly discussed.
ISSN:0040-5957