Differential tumor necrosis factor alpha expression by astrocytes from experimental allergic encephalomyelitis-susceptible and -resistant rat strains

Our studies were performed on astrocytes derived from neonatal rats to define differences that might contribute to susceptibility for subsequent development of EAE. The different profile of responsiveness in Lewis and BN astrocytes (especially in response to IFN-y) is not a generalized feature of this developmental stage, as neonatal microglia from these two strains respond equally well to all stimuli tested for TNF-a production . We propose that the ability of the Lewis astrocyte to respond to IFN-y, a rytokine not normally present in the CNS except during inflammatory disease states, by expression of class II MHC antigens and TNF-a production, may contribute selectively to intracerebral immune responses and inflammation in this rat strain.