Abstract:

[Abstract] Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is a pleiotropic inflammatory cytokine, which is produced chiefly by acti?
vated macrophages. Two forms of TNF-α, soluble and transmembrane, can bind tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) 1 orTNFR2, respectively. Recently, a concept has emerged that TNF-α/TNFR pathway plays an important role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis and remyelination. TNFR1 induces death of oligodendrocytes via death receptor-mediated apoptosis, which leads to demyelination or other neurodegenerative changes. However, TNFR2 has a positive effect on multiple sclerosis. It facilitates the proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells, thus promoting remyelination.

Key words: tumor necrosis factor-alpha, receptors, tumor necrosis factor, multiple sclerosis, myelin sheath, remyelination, review