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Results for “Neuroimmunomodulation”

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Functional role of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in seizures.

Recent evidence has shown that proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory molecules are synthesized during epileptic activity in glial cells in CNS regions where seizures initiate and spread. These molecules are released and interact with specific receptors on neurons. Since various cytokines have been shown to affect neuronal excitability, this led to the hypothesis that they may have a role in altering synaptic transmission in epileptic conditions. Indeed, intracerebral application of IL-1beta enhances epileptic activity in experimental models while its naturally occurring receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) mediates anticonvulsant actions. Transgenic mice overexpressing IL-1Ra in astrocytes are less susceptible to seizures, indicating that endogenous IL-1 has proconvulsant activity. Several studies indicate a central role of IL-1beta for the exacerbation of brain damage after ischemic, traumatic or excitotoxic insults, suggesting that it may also contribute to neuronal cell injury associated with seizures. Finally, a functional polymorphism in the IL-1beta gene promoter, possibly associated with enhanced ability to produce this cytokine, has been specifically found in temporal lobe epilepsy patients with hippocampal sclerosis and in children with febrile seizures. Thus, the IL-1 system may represent a novel target for controlling seizure activity and/or the associated long-term sequelae. Furthermore, these studies suggest that other inflammatory and anti-inflammatory molecules produced in the CNS may have a role in the pathophysiology of seizure disorders.

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Suppression of high affinity IL-2 receptors on mitogen activated lymphocytes by glioma-derived suppressor factor.

Previously we have reported that human glial tumor cells secrete a factor(s) which suppresses the mitogen responsiveness of normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) in a dose dependent manner. In this study we extend these observations and explore the possible mechanisms by which glioma-derived suppressor factor(s) (GSF) modulates lymphocyte reactivity. Preincubation of lymphocytes with GSF for 2 hrs induces suppression of lymphocyte mitogen responsiveness. GSF also inhibits production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) by mitogen activated human T-cells. Addition of delectinated or recombinant IL-2 to mitogen activated human T-cells in the presence of GSF does not restore the normal proliferative response of these cells. These findings suggest that GSF induces a defect in the expression of the receptor for IL-2 (IL-2R) on activated T-cells. Binding studies with radiolabeled IL-2 demonstrated that GSF suppresses and in some cases completely inhibits the expression of functional high affinity IL-2R on activated T-cells, thereby, preventing association of IL-2R with its receptor and the subsequent progression of the cell into the proliferative stage of the cell cycle. These cellular defects induced by GSF closely parallel the observed defects noted in T-cells obtained from patients with gliomas, indicating that the factors elicited from glial tumors may be responsible for the immunological deficits observed in patients with primary malignant intracranial tumors.

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Mast cells.

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Animals↗

Immunocytochemical and electron-microscopic characterization of macrophage/microglia cells and expression of class II major histocompatibility complex in the pineal gland of the rat.

Interstitial cells in the pineal gland of the rat were characterized immunocytochemically using the monoclonal antibodies MRC OX-42 and ED1 for macrophages/microglia, and MRC OX-6, which recognizes major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen. A polyclonal antibody against GFAP was used to identify astrocytes. Cells immunopositive for OX-42 and/or ED1 were distributed throughout the gland; they extended processes primarily along the perivascular spaces and occasionally within the parenchyma of the gland. Ultrastructurally, these OX-42-positive cells were characterized by a nucleus with sparse heterochromatin and cytoplasmic vacuoles/lysosomes. Cells expressing MHC class II antigen had a distribution and morphology similar to OX-42-immunopositive cells, suggesting that pineal macrophages/microglia play a role as antigen-presenting cells. GFAP-positive astrocytes were concentrated at the proximal end of the pineal where the pineal stalk enters the gland. The occurrence of antigen-presenting cells in this circumventricular neuroendocrine gland has important functional implications as these cells may be mediators of neuroimmunomodulatory mechanisms, and involved in certain disease states such as autoimmune pinealitis.

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