Interferon-α,β and tumor necrosis factor-α enhance the freguency of miniature end-plate potentials at rat neuromuscular junction

The effects of the two cytokines, rat interferon-α,β and human tumor necrosis factor-α, were studied at the rat neuromuscular junction by using classical electrophysiological techniques. Both cytokines in a similar way at concentrations of 2,000 and 35,000 U/ml, respectively, increased transiently and with a relatively long delay (15 to 25 min) the frequency of mimiature endplate potentials. The observed effects may be related to complex second messenger mechanisms and contribute to modulation and plasticity of neurotransmission.