Interferon-β protects astrocytes against tumour necrosis factor-induced apoptosis via activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase

Several large clinical trials have demonstrated that interferon-β (IFN-β) therapy is effective in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. However, the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of IFN-β are not fully understood. Most of the effort in the study of the relevant mechanisms of IFN-β has dealt with its immunomodulatory actions. However, the beneficial effects of IFN-β in MS patients may also depend on non-immune mechanisms, including the modulation of astrocyte function. In the present work, we have found that IFN-β treatment protects astrocytes against tumour necrosis factor-induced apoptosis via activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. We propose that this effect may be of importance to protect astrocytes against apoptosis within the demyelinated plaques of the MS.