Renal cell–expressed TNF receptor 2, not receptor 1, is essential for the development of glomerulonephritis

Analysis of mice carrying mutant T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) genes indicates that TCR-beta gene rearrangement or expression is critical for the differentiation of CD4-CD8- thymocytes to CD4+CD8+ thymocytes, as well as for the expansion of the pool of CD4+CD8+ cells. TCR-alpha is irrelevant in these developmental processes. The development of gamma delta T cells does not depend on either TCR-alpha or TCR-beta.

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) elicits multiple biological effects through two distinct cell surface receptors, TNF-R1 (p55) and TNF-R2 (p75). Most TNF-mediated biological responses, such as cell death, gene induction, antiviral activity and cytokine production, have been attributed to TNF-R1 (refs 1-5). Gene targeting of this receptor confirms its role in the lethality attributable to low doses of lipopolysaccharide after sensitization with D-galactosamine; surprisingly, the toxicity of high doses of lipopolysaccharide was unaffected. The function of TNF-R2 is less well understood, although there are data supporting a role in T-cell development and the proliferation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. To clarify the physiological role of TNF-R2, we have generated mice deficient in this receptor by gene targeting. The TNF-R2-/- mice show normal T-cell development and activity, but we find that they have increased resistance to TNF-induced death. Additionally, such mice injected subcutaneously with TNF show a dramatic decrease in tissue necrosis, indicating that this receptor plays a role in the necrotic effects of TNF.