GDNF and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Cultures of rat astroglia exposed to CSF from ALS patients showed increased release of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNFα, reduced anti-inflammatory cytokine IL10, increased generation of cyclooxygenase-2 and prostaglandin E2, and downregulation of trophic factors such as GDNF (glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor) or VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) [367].