Journal of neuroimmunology
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Gene regulation in sepsis is known to be controlled by the transcription factor NF-kappaB. However, the function of neuronal NF-kappaB in sepsis is not well defined. In a mouse model of sepsis induced by i.p. injection of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), we found an activation of NF-kappaB in the brain as shown by the induction of a transgenic NF-kappaB reporter. ⋯ By immunohistochemistry, we detected the active NF-kappaB subunit RelA in neuronal nuclei of the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis. Our data reveal an important role of neuronal NF-kappaB in thermoregulation and survival. The upcoming group of NF-kappaB inhibitors may have a place in the treatment of the acute-phase response.