IL1A enhances TNF-induced retinal ganglion cell death

We identified a novel role of IL1A, we found that IL1A acted as a sensitizer to TNF-induced death. Co-injection of IL1A and TNF resulted in rapid RGC death, with significant RGC loss 14 days after injection. TNF+IL1A-induced RGC death did not depend on JUN activation and was rather SARM1 dependent. Also, RNA-seq analyses indicated that while <i>Sarm1</i> deficiency protected from IL1A+TNF induced RGC loss it did not significantly alter microglia and astrocyte responses. Altogether, these findings indicate that IL1A potentiates SARM1-dependent TNF-induced RGC death <i>in vivo</i>.