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Sustained hippocampal IL-1 beta overexpression mediates chronic neuroinflammation and ameliorates Alzheimer plaque pathology
Shaftel SS, Kyrkanides S, Olschowka JA, Miller JN, Johnson RE, O'Banion MK.. The Journal of clinical investigation, 2007-06-01
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
Neuroinflammation is a conspicuous feature of Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology and is thought to contribute to the ultimate neurodegeneration that ensues. IL-1 beta has emerged as a prime candidate underlying this response. Here we describe a transgenic mouse model of sustained IL-1 beta overexpression that was capable of driving robust neuroinflammation lasting months after transgene activation.
Key findings
- IL-1 beta has emerged as a prime candidate underlying this response.
- Here we describe a transgenic mouse model of sustained IL-1 beta overexpression that was capable of driving robust neuroinflammation lasting months after transgene activation.
- This response was characterized by astrocytic and microglial activation in addition to induction of proinflammatory cytokines.
- Surprisingly, when triggered in the hippocampus of the APPswe/PS1dE9 mouse model of AD, 4 weeks of IL-1 beta overexpression led to a reduction in amyloid pathology.
Why it matters
In a transgenic mouse model, sustained overexpression of IL-1 beta caused chronic neuroinflammation but surprisingly reduced Alzheimer's plaque pathology. This is animal research only, and the finding that inflammation lessened plaques does not establish any treatment for people.
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 49/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (The Journal of clinical investigation) |
| Journal's citation record | 4 / 4 | Journal of Clinical Investigation: journal h-index 706 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2007 — within 20 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 6 / 7 | Cited 433 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 4 / 5 | 20.6 citations a year over 21 year(s) since 2007 |
| Impact for its field and year | 4 / 6 | Cited 10.6× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 3 / 6 | Cited by 21 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 49 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author M. Kerry O’Banion: h-index 55 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | University of Rochester: institution h-index 1,195 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 17549256) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 49 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1172/jci31450
- PubMed: 17549256
- Original source →
- Free full text: Journal of Clinical Investigation →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Shaftel, S. S., Kyrkanides, S., Olschowka, J. A., Miller, J. N., Johnson, R. E., & O'Banion, M. K. (2007). Sustained hippocampal IL-1 beta overexpression mediates chronic neuroinflammation and ameliorates Alzheimer plaque pathology. The Journal of clinical investigation. https://doi.org/10.1172/jci31450
Vancouver
Shaftel SS, Kyrkanides S, Olschowka JA, Miller JN, Johnson RE, O'Banion MK. Sustained hippocampal IL-1 beta overexpression mediates chronic neuroinflammation and ameliorates Alzheimer plaque pathology. The Journal of clinical investigation. 2007. doi:10.1172/jci31450. PMID: 17549256.
BibTeX
@article{shaftel2007-17549256,
author = {Shaftel, S. S. and Kyrkanides, S. and Olschowka, J. A. and Miller, J. N. and Johnson, R. E. and O'Banion, M. K.},
title = {{Sustained hippocampal IL-1 beta overexpression mediates chronic neuroinflammation and ameliorates Alzheimer plaque pathology}},
journal = {The Journal of clinical investigation},
year = {2007},
doi = {10.1172/jci31450},
pmid = {17549256},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1172/jci31450}
}
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