TGF-β in the central nervous system: Potential roles in ischemic injury and neurodegenerative diseases

• Published in: Cytokine & growth factor reviews Vol. 8; no. 4; pp. 267 - 292
• Main Authors: Pratt, Bruce M., McPherson, John M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-12-1997
• Subjects: AIDS dementia; AIDS Dementia Complex - etiology; AIDS/HIV; Alzheimer Disease - etiology; Alzheimer's disease; Animals; Astrocytes - physiology; Central nervous system; Central Nervous System - blood supply; Central Nervous System - injuries; Central Nervous System - physiology; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental - drug therapy; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental - etiology; Excitotoxicity; Gene Expression; Humans; Ischemia; Ischemia - etiology; Ischemia - genetics; Ischemia - physiopathology; Microglia - physiology; Multiple sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis - drug therapy; Multiple Sclerosis - etiology; Multiple Sclerosis - physiopathology; Neurodegenerative Diseases - etiology; Neurodegenerative Diseases - physiopathology; Oligodendroglia - physiology; Parkinson Disease - drug therapy; Parkinson Disease - etiology; Parkinson's disease; TGF-β; Transforming Growth Factor beta - administration & dosage; Transforming Growth Factor beta - genetics; Transforming Growth Factor beta - physiology; Multiple sclerosis; Parkinson's disease; Ischemia; Excitotoxicity; Central nervous system; AIDS dementia; TGF-β; Alzheimer's disease
• ISSN: 1359-6101
• DOI: 10.1016/S1359-6101(97)00018-X

The Transforming Growth Factor-βs (TGF-β) are a group of multifunctional proteins whose cellular sites of production and action are widely distributed throughout the body, including the central nervous system (CNS). Within the CNS, various isoforms of TGF-β are produced by both glial and neural cells. When evaluated in either cell culture or
in vivo models, the various isoforms of TGF-β have been shown to have potent effects on the proliferation, function, or survival of both neurons and all three glial cell types, astrocytes, microglia and oligodendrocytes. TGF-β has also been shown to play a role in several forms of acute CNS pathology including ischemia, excitotoxicity and several forms of neurodegenerative diseases including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, AIDS dementia and Alzheimer's disease.