The transcription factor Rel/nuclear factor (NF)-κB is known for its fundamental role in regulating immune and inflammatory responses. In the brain, constitutive NF-κB activity has been detected exclusively in neurons, and a large diversity of stimuli have been reported to induce NF-κB activity. Yet the function of this transcription factor in the nervous system remains unclear, and its role in neuroprotection or neurodegeneration is open to debate. Recently it was suggested that κB-driven gene expression in neurons is controlled by Sp1-like factors. To clarify such controversy, we have characterized here a novel mouse model in which the entire NF-κ B-dependent transcriptional response is abolished in the forebrain. Calcium-calmodulin-dependent kinase II α promoter-driven tetracycline transactivator was used for regulated expression of a transdominant negative mutant of inhibitor κBα (super-repressor) together with a green fluorescent protein tracer. Inhibition of expression of a κB-dependent lacZ transgene was shown in triple transgenic mice, which correlated with the loss of κB-specific DNA binding. In transgenic organotypic hippocampal slice cultures, expression of the super-repressor led to strong cell death after neurotoxic insults. These data demonstrate for the first time that neuron-restricted ablation of NF-κB-driven gene expression increases neurodegeneration. This might lead to the path for new treatments of neurodegenerative diseases.
CITATION STYLE
Fridmacher, V., Kaltschmidt, B., Goudeau, B., Ndiaye, D., Rossi, F. M., Pfeiffer, J., … Mémet, S. (2003). Forebrain-Specific Neuronal Inhibition of Nuclear Factor-κB Activity Leads to Loss of Neuroprotection. Journal of Neuroscience, 23(28), 9403–9408. https://doi.org/10.1523/jneurosci.23-28-09403.2003
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