MUGEN mouse database; animal models of human immunological diseases.

The MUGEN mouse database (MMdb) (www.mugen-noe.org/database/) is a database of murine models of immune processes and immunological diseases. Its aim is to share and publicize information on mouse strain characteristics and availability from participating institutions. MMdb's basic classification of models is based on three major research application categories: Models of Human Disease, Models of Immune Processes and Transgenic Tools. Data on mutant strains includes detailed information on affected gene(s), mutant allele(s) and genetic background (DNA origin, gene targeted, host and backcross strain background). Each gene/transgene index also includes IDs and direct links to Ensembl, ArrayExpress, EURExpress and NCBI's Entrez Gene database. Phenotypic description is standardized and hierarchically structured, based on MGI's mammalian phenotypic ontology terms. Availability (e.g. live mice, cryopreserved embryos, sperm and ES cells) is clearly indicated, along with handling and genotyping details (in the form of documents or hyperlinks) and all relevant contact information (including EMMA and Jax/IMSR hyperlinks where available). MMdb's design offers a user-friendly query interface and provides instant access to the list of mutant strains and genes. Database access is free of charge and there are no registration requirements for data querying.

The function of tumour necrosis factor and receptors in models of multi-organ inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease.

There is now good evidence to demonstrate that aberrations in tumour necrosis factor (TNF) production in vivo may be either pathogenic or protective and several plausible mechanisms may explain these contrasting activities. According to the classic pro-inflammatory scenario, failure to regulate the production of TNF at a site of immunological injury may lead to chronic activation of innate immune cells and to chronic inflammatory responses, which may consequently lead to organ specific inflammatory pathology and tissue damage. However, more cryptic functions of this molecule may be considered to play a significant part in the development of TNF mediated pathologies. Direct interference of TNF with the differentiation, proliferation or death of specific pathogenic cell targets may be an alternative mechanism for disease initiation or progression. In addition to these activities, there is now considerable evidence to suggest that TNF may also directly promote or down regulate the adaptive immune response. A more complete understanding of the temporal and spatial context of TNF/TNF receptor (TNF-R) function and of the molecular and cellular pathways leading to the development of TNF/TNF-R mediated pathologies is necessary to fully comprehend relevant mechanisms of disease induction and progression in humans. In this paper, the potential pathogenic mechanisms exerted by TNF and receptors in models of multi-organ inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease are discussed. Elucidating the nature and level of contribution of these mechanisms in chronic inflammation and autoimmunity may lead to better regulatory and therapeutic applications.

On the role of tumor necrosis factor and receptors in models of multiorgan failure, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease.

The specific role of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)/TNF receptor (TNFR) system in disease pathogenesis still remains an unresolved puzzle. Recent studies in transgenic and knockout animals, where the pathogenic influence of genetically perturbed TNF expression has been evaluated, indicate that several pathways of TNF/TNFR action may contribute independently or in concert to initiate, promote or downregulate disease pathogenesis. Evidently, organ-specific inflammatory or autoimmune pathology may ensue due to sustained activation by TNF of innate immune cells and inflammatory responses, which may consequently lead to tissue damage and to organ-specific chronic pathology. However, more cryptic functions of this molecule may be considered to play a significant part in the development of TNF-mediated pathologies. Direct interference of TNF with the differentiation, proliferation or death of specific pathogenic cell targets may be an alternative mechanism for disease initiation or progression. In addition to these activities, there is now considerable evidence to suggest that TNF may also directly promote or downregulate the adaptive immune response. It is therefore evident that no general scenario may adequately describe the role of TNF in disease pathogenesis. In this article, we aim to place these diverse functions of TNF/TNFRs into context with the development of specific pathology in murine models of multiorgan failure, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease.

A critical role of the p75 tumor necrosis factor receptor (p75TNF-R) in organ inflammation independent of TNF, lymphotoxin alpha, or the p55TNF-R.

Despite overwhelming evidence that enhanced production of the p75 tumor necrosis factor receptor (p75TNF-R) accompanies development of specific human inflammatory pathologies such as multi-organ failure during sepsis, inflammatory liver disease, pancreatitis, respiratory distress syndrome, or AIDS, the function of this receptor remains poorly defined in vivo. We show here that at levels relevant to human disease, production of the human p75TNF-R in transgenic mice results in a severe inflammatory syndrome involving mainly the pancreas, liver, kidney, and lung, and characterized by constitutively increased NF-kappaB activity in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell compartment. This process is shown to evolve independently of the presence of TNF, lymphotoxin alpha, or the p55TNF-R, although coexpression of a human TNF transgene accelerated pathology. These results establish an independent role for enhanced p75TNF-R production in the pathogenesis of inflammatory disease and implicate the direct involvement of this receptor in a wide range of human inflammatory pathologies.

In vivo evidence for a functional role of both tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptors and transmembrane TNF in experimental hepatitis.

The significance of tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) for TNF function in vivo is well documented, whereas the role of TNFR2 so far remains obscure. In a model of concanavalin A (Con A)-induced, CD4+ T cell-dependent experimental hepatitis in mice, in which TNF is a central mediator of apoptotic and necrotic liver damage, we now provide evidence for an essential in vivo function of TNFR2 in this pathophysiological process. We demonstrate that a cooperation of TNFR1 and TNFR2 is required for hepatotoxicity as mice deficient of either receptor were resistant against Con A. A significant role of TNFR2 for Con A-induced hepatitis is also shown by the enhanced sensitivity of transgenic mice overexpressing the human TNFR2. The ligand for cytotoxic signaling via both TNF receptors is the precursor of soluble TNF, i.e. transmembrane TNF. Indeed, transmembrane TNF is sufficient to mediate hepatic damage, as transgenic mice deficient in wild-type soluble TNF but expressing a mutated nonsecretable form of TNF developed inflammatory liver disease.

Tumour necrosis factors in immune regulation: everything that's interesting is...new!

Tumour necrosis factors have been classically studied as molecules central to the pathogenesis of infectious, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The recent generation of mice deficient in TNF alpha, LT alpha, or their receptors, has provided exciting new insights into the physiological role of these molecules in the development of secondary lymphoid tissues and in the organisation of the humoral immune response.

Dissection of the pathologies induced by transmembrane and wild-type tumor necrosis factor in transgenic mice.

With increasing awareness that seemingly diverse immune-mediated diseases involve similar pathogenetic mechanisms, and the identification of a growing number of key effector molecules, it is becoming possible to design and generate effective transgenic models for such diseases. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) plays a prominent role in immune and host defense responses and there is strong evidence that abnormal TNF production contributes to disease initiation and progression in rheumatoid arthritis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and many other immune-mediated disorders. The generation of TNF transgenic mice, in which TNF production is deregulated, has provided us with direct evidence that, in vivo, this cytokine can indeed trigger the development of such complex disease phenotypes. Transgenic mice that have been engineered to overexpress human or murine TNF molecules in peripheral joints, T cells, or neurons of the central nervous system represent important animal models for human rheumatoid arthritis, systemic inflammation, and multiple sclerosis, respectively. In addition to establishing a central role for TNF in such diseases, these animal models have already proved valuable for identifying additional important disease-effector molecules, and for gaining an insight into the complex in vivo mechanisms that are involved in disease pathogenesis. For example, in the case of arthritis, TNF has been found to transmit its pathogenic effects entirely through interleukin-1, which may therefore represent an additional important target for therapeutic intervention in the human disease. In summary, TNF transgenic models of human disease are expected to serve as important in vivo tools for defining details of disease pathogenesis, potential targets for therapeutic intervention and for evaluating the possible involvement of additional genetic and environmental factors on the disease state.

The transmembrane form of tumor necrosis factor is the prime activating ligand of the 80 kDa tumor necrosis factor receptor.

The 60 kDa tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR60) is regarded as the major signal transducer of TNF-induced cellular responses, whereas the signal capacity and role of the 80 kDa TNFR (TNFR80) remain largely undefined. We show here that the transmembrane form of TNF is superior to soluble TNF in activating TNFR80 in various systems such as T cell activation, thymocyte proliferation, and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor production. Intriguingly, activation of TNFR80 by membrane TNF can lead to qualitatively different TNF responses such as rendering resistant tumor cells sensitive to TNF-mediated cytotoxicity. This study demonstrates that the diversity of TNF effects can be controlled through the differential sensitivity of TNFR80 for the two forms of TNF and suggests an important physiological role for TNFR80 in local inflammatory responses.

Transgenic and knockout analyses of the role of TNF in immune regulation and disease pathogenesis.

Transgenic mutagenesis in whole animals has become without doubt the most rewarding approach to analyse gene structure, expression, and function. In the TNF field, much of what we now question about TNF/TNF receptor function is based, to a large extent, on what we have already learned by overexpressing these molecules in transgenic mice or by ablating their expression in knockout systems. In addition, a clearer view of the involvement of these molecules in disease pathogenesis has emerged, and useful models for human disease have been generated. In this overview, we summarise our experience with TNF transgenic and knockout systems, and highlight advances made in our understanding of the role played by TNF and its receptors in immune regulation and in the pathogenesis of infectious, inflammatory, and autoimmune disease.