Fischer et al. published in Brain Behav. Immunol.

July 4, 2019

Exogenous activation of tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 promotes recovery from sensory and motor disease in a model of multiple sclerosis.

Fischer R, Padutsch T, Bracchi-Ricard V, Murphy KL, Martinez GF, Delguercio N, Elmer N, Sendetski M, Diem R, Eisel ULM, Smeyne RJ, Kontermann RE, Pfizenmaier K, Bethea JR.

Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) is a transmembrane receptor that promotes immune modulation and tissue regeneration and is recognized as a potential therapeutic target for multiple sclerosis (MS). However, TNFR2 also contributes to T effector cell function and macrophage-TNFR2 recently was shown to promote disease development in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of MS. We here demonstrate that systemic administration of a TNFR2 agonist alleviates peripheral and central inflammation, and reduces demyelination and neurodegeneration, indicating that protective signals induced by TNFR2 exceed potential pathogenic TNFR2-dependent responses. Our behavioral data show that systemic treatment of female EAE mice with a TNFR2 agonist is therapeutic on motor symptoms and promotes long-term recovery from neuropathic pain. Mechanistically, our data indicate that TNFR2 agonist treatment follows a dual mode of action and promotes both suppression of CNS autoimmunity and remyelination. Strategies based on the concept of exogenous activation of TNFR2 therefore hold great promise as a new therapeutic approach to treat motor and sensory disease in MS as well as other inflammatory diseases or neuropathic pain conditions.

DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2019.06.021

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