IER3 and meningioma: Interaction of meningococci with meningioma cells in vitro leads to regulation of host cell genes, including genes for several pro-inflammatory and chemotactic cytokines and chemokines, such as TNFα, IL-6, IL-8, MIP-2α, and MCP-1, and genes for apoptosis-related factors including caspase-10, brain-derived neurotropic factor, IEX-1L anti-death protein, IRF-1, osteopontin, and the BB2-bombesin receptor [142].