Murine macrophages stimulated with central and peripheral nervous system myelin or purified myelin proteins release inflammatory products.

Macrophage inflammatory products including tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-12/p40 are implicated in demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Guillain-Barré syndrome, and animal models experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and neuritis. The macrophage product angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is released during inflammation. ACE can also be elevated in MS. We investigated the ability of central (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) myelin to stimulate TNF, interleukin-12, and ACE production by murine macrophages. Both CNS and PNS myelin and purified myelin basic protein and P2 protein induced release of these products. Direct stimulation by myelin may represent a mechanism of inducing release of macrophage products in inflammatory demyelination or neural injury.