TNF-Mediated Homeostatic Synaptic Plasticity: Fromin vitrotoin vivoModels

Since it was first described almost 30 years ago, homeostatic synaptic plasticity (HSP) has been hypothesized to play a key role in maintaining neuronal circuit function in both developing and adult animals. While well characterizedin vitro, determining thein vivoroles of this form of plasticity remains challenging. Since the discovery that the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) mediates some forms of HSP, it has been possible to probe some of thein vivocontribution of TNF-mediated HSP. Work from our lab and others has found roles for TNF-HSP in a variety of functions, including the developmental plasticity of sensory systems, models of drug addiction, and the response to psychiatric drugs.