Fig. 5

BDNF downregulates proinflammatory cytokine expression and upregulates anti-inflammatory cytokine expression in PM. Levels of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10) in both the hippocampus and cortex at 24 h post-infection as measured by ELISA. Levels of both proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines were significantly increased at 24 h post-infection as compared with levels observed in the sham group. Administration of exogenous BDNF significantly decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the a, c, e hippocampus and b, d, f cortex, and g, h further elevated IL-10 levels. Rats pretreated with k252a exhibited enhanced expression of proinflammatory cytokines and attenuated expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines as compared with levels observed in the BDNF + PM group. **p < 0.01