Production of cytotoxic factor for oligodendrocytes by stimulated astrocytes.

Stimulation of rat astrocytes in vitro by calcium ionophore A23187 and/or lipopolysaccharide results in the generation of a cytotoxic factor that is functionally similar to the previously described macrophage-derived cytotoxic factor, tumor necrosis factor. Like the macrophage product, the astrocyte cytotoxic factor kills murine L 929 cell targets. In addition, it kills rat oligodendrocytes, the myelin-producing cells of the central nervous system. Human recombinant tumor necrosis factor also has cytotoxic activity directed against rat oligodendrocytes.