J Neuroinflamm
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Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is an important inflammatory factor produced by activated macrophages and monocytes and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). To evaluate the effect of TNF-α signaling suppression and the potential of TNF-α in the treatment of DPN, a recombinant human TNF-α receptor-antibody fusion protein (rhTNFR:Fc) was used. We focused on the pathophysiology of the sciatic nerve and examined the expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) under DPN status with or without TNF-α inhibition. ⋯ Our study demonstrates that TNF-α plays a key role in the pathogenesis of DPN and its inhibition by rhTNFR:Fc can prove to be a useful therapeutic strategy for the treatment of and/or prevention from DPN symptoms.