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Abstract
Development of autoimmune diseases requires coordinated expression of a myriad of genes. To explore the spectrum and global patterns of gene expression during autoimmune inflammation, we have recently performed functional genomic studies of autoimmune inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS). Inflammation in the CNS not only induced the expression of many immune-related genes, but also signific antly altered the gene expression profile of neural cells. A number of unique clusters of genes were identified, which represent putative immune and nervous responses in autoimmune inflammation. This review will focus on two clusters of genes that we have been studying during the past few yeas; the Rel/nuclear factor (NF)-κB family and the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]