Abstract
BackgroundTransforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is a cytokine having multiple functions in the central nervous system such as promoting repair mechanisms in degenerative diseases and stroke. To date, however, its neuroprotective effects in non-disease conditions have not been studiedMethodsWith the aim of exploring the relationship between peripheral TGF-β1 expression and brain structural integrity, 70 healthy participants underwent high-resolution structural T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans and blood sampling. Data were processed to obtain brain cortical thickness and serum concentrations of TGF-β1. We investigated the correlation between TGF-β1 and cortical thickness using both region-of-interest- and vertex-based approaches.FindingsRegion-of-interest-based analysis of the cortical mantle showed a correlation between TGF-β1 serum concentrations and cortical thickness bilaterally in cingulate and right frontal and temporal areas. Similar results emerged in the vertex-based analysis, where significant correlations were found bilaterally in cingulate and right frontal cortices.ConclusionsThese results suggest that TGF-β1, through its role in down-regulating inflammatory processes, might have a beneficial effect on the structural integrity of the brain in physiological states.
Highlights
Transforming growth factor b (TGF-b) is a cytokine having multiple functions in the central nervous system such as promoting repair mechanisms in degenerative diseases and stroke
These results suggest that TGF-b1, through its role in down-regulating inflammatory processes, might have a beneficial effect on the structural integrity of the brain in physiological states
In mammals, transforming growth factor b (TGF-b) is a multifunctional cytokine which exists as three closely related isoforms (TGF-b1, TGF-b2 and TGF-b3) that bind to the same receptors and exert similar functions but with different spatiotemporal control of their expression patterns [1]
Summary
Statistical analyses Association between TGF-b1 and cortical thickness was investigated using both a ROI-based and a vertex-based approach The former was performed by calculating Pearson’s r correlation coefficients between TGF-b1 serum levels and each ROI mean thickness. We modeled cortical thickness data using a linear regression analysis with TGF-b1 as the variable of interest and age as the nuisance variable. In this case, the threshold of statistical significance was increased at p < .001, which has been reported as a reasonable threshold for reporting results of neuroimaging studies when no corrections for multiple comparisons are made [e.g. The threshold of statistical significance was increased at p < .001, which has been reported as a reasonable threshold for reporting results of neuroimaging studies when no corrections for multiple comparisons are made [e.g. [24]]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
