First Author | Xin J | Year | 2012 |
Journal | Brain Behav Immun | Volume | 26 |
Issue | 6 | Pages | 886-90 |
PubMed ID | 22426430 | Mgi Jnum | J:190173 |
Mgi Id | MGI:5448341 | Doi | 10.1016/j.bbi.2012.02.011 |
Citation | Xin J, et al. (2012) CD4+ T cell-mediated neuroprotection is independent of T cell-derived BDNF in a mouse facial nerve axotomy model. Brain Behav Immun 26(6):886-90 |
abstractText | BACKGROUND: The production of neurotrophic factors, such as BDNF, has generally been considered an important mechanism of immune-mediated neuroprotection. However, the ability of T cells to produce BDNF remains controversial. METHODS: In the present study, we examined mRNA and protein of BDNF using RT-PCR and western blot, respectively, in purified and reactivated CD4(+) T cells. In addition, to determine the role of BDNF derived from CD4(+) T cells, the BDNF gene was specifically deleted in T cells using the Cre-lox mouse model system. RESULTS: Our results indicate that while both mRNA expression and protein secretion of BDNF in reactivated T cells were detected at 24 h, only protein could be detected at 72 h after reactivation. The results suggest a transient up-regulation of BDNF mRNA in reactivated T cells. Furthermore, in contrast to our hypothesis that the BDNF expression is necessary for CD4(+) T cells to mediate neuroprotection, mice with CD4(+) T cells lacking BDNF expression demonstrated a similar level of facial motoneuron survival compared to their littermates that expressed BDNF, and both levels were comparable to wild-type. The results suggest that the deletion of BDNF did not impair CD4(+) T cell-mediated neuroprotection. CONCLUSION: Collectively, while CD4(+) T cells are a potential source of BDNF after nerve injury, production of BDNF is not necessary for CD4(+) T cells to mediate their neuroprotective effects. |