TNF-α and its receptors modulate complex behaviours and neurotrophins in transgenic mice

Abstract

Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) plays an important role not only in immunity but also in the normal functioning of the central nervous system (CNS). At physiological levels, studies have shown TNF-α is essential to maintain synaptic scaling and thus influence learning and memory formation while also playing a role in modulating pathological states of anxiety and depression. TNF-α signals mainly through its two receptors, TNF-R1 and TNF-R2, however the exact role that these receptors play in TNF-α mediated behavioural phenotypes is yet to be determined. Methods: We have assessed TNF-/-, TNF-R1-/- and TNF-R2-/- mice against C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice from 12 weeks of age in order to evaluate..