NGF and IL-1β are co-localized in the developing nervous system of the frog, Xenopus laevis

In the mammalian nervous system, the cytokine, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) induces expression of NGF. In this report, double-label immunocytochemistry was used to determine the relationship between NGF and IL-1β. Results showed most cell types and/or tissues that expressed NGF also expressed IL-1β. However, NGF was typically associated with cellular and nuclear membranes, whereas IL-1β appeared in the cytoplasm and nucleolus. The nuclear localization of IL-1β supports the idea that it regulates gene transcription in the frog. The appearance of NGF and IL-1β in the same cells suggests they may interact to influence neural development.