Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in Japan

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is being used increasingly to treat diverse diseases in Japan. The distinctive aspects of allogeneic BMT in Japan include the lower incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease, which may be attributable to less disparity in histocompatibility antigens in Japanese. Research in the field of allogeneic BMT in Japan has covered the use of recombinant hemopoietic growth factors, especially granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and novel immunosuppressive agents.

[Risk factors for falls among the elderly living in a Japanese rural community]

The purpose of the present study is to explore risk factors for falls among the elderly in a Japanese rural community. Subjects comprised 658 elderly persons aged 65 and over living in a rural village of Akita Prefecture (response rate; 96.1%). In 1988, the baseline medical health examinations and an interview survey were performed and repeated at the follow-up survey one year later. Results obtained were as follows; 1) The rate of falls at the follow-up survey was 17.3% in men, 15.6% in women. There was no difference in rate of falls between sexes. The rate of falls in the old-old did not significantly differ from that in the young-old in both sexes. 2) Chi square test or Cochran-Armitage test was performed by sex to examine the relationship between the factors investigated at the baseline survey and occurrence of falls at the follow-up survey. Significant factors in men were income, spouse, need for assistance in daily living, history of stroke, fall experience within one year preceding the baseline survey, ECG abnormalities, standing time with eyes open, grip strength, TMIG (Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology) index of competence. In women, mobility, need for assistance in daily living, admission to a hospital within one year preceding the baseline survey, fall experience within one year preceding the baseline survey, standing time with eyes open, grip strength, TMIG index of competence were significant. 3) Using the significant variables in univariate analysis, multivariate logistic regression analysis controlling for age was performed by sex. Significant risk factors for falls in men were fall experience within one year preceding the baseline survey and ECG abnormalities, while for women fall experience within one year preceding the baseline survey was significant. The present longitudinal study revealed that falls experience within one year preceding the baseline survey was the highest risk factor for falls in the elderly residents in the community. This indicates that even a simple interview on fall experience can identify high risk elderly.

Steroid contents and cortical steroidogenic enzymes in non-hyperfunctioning adrenal adenoma

The recent increasing use of ultrasound and computed tomography has revealed numbers of incidentally discovered adrenal tumors. Many studies have focused on their surgical management, but the biological characteristics of these adrenal tumors have remained unclear. Adrenal tumors were resected from 10 patients who underwent gastrectomy or cholecystectomy. No signs or symptoms of adrenal hormone excess or deficiency were evident either before or after the operation. Moreover, after surgery, no major differences in signs and symptoms including blood pressure levels were observed. Before surgery, neurogenic tumors and cysts were excluded by enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. Steroid contents and both the activities and amounts of steroidogenic cytochrome P-450s in the adrenocortical adenomas of these patients were examined. Microscopic examination revealed that the tumors were surrounded by a thin, non-intact capsule; the surrounding cortex was not atrophic and apparently normal; and the cells of both the tumor and adjacent portions were arranged in nests and cords. Measurements of all steroid content (pregnenolone, progesterone, corticosterone, 11-deoxycorticosterone, 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone, cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone) except aldosterone in 5 resected adrenal tumors were within the normal ranges for the adrenals of 5 patients with renal cell carcinoma. Aldosterone content in tumor portions was significantly lower than in the apparently normal adrenals. Although in both tumor and adjacent portions of another 5 resected adrenal tumors the activities and amounts of cytochrome P-450s (P-450scc, P-450(11 beta), P-450aldo, P-450(17 alpha), and P-450c21) were also within the normal ranges, the activities of P-450scc and P-450(17 alpha) in the tumor portion were greater than those in the adjacent portion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prevalence of HCV-antibodies and HCV-RNA in donor blood in Tokushima Prefecture

The incidence of C100-3 among the blood specimens qualified for transfusion according to the conventional criteria was 1.1%. The incidence of C100-3 in donor blood in Tokushima Prefecture is not significantly different from that reported for all Japan. Of the donors positive for the conventional screening test and C100-3, 73.6% showed high ALT levels. For all antibodies, the incidence of HCV-RNA was very low in the donors positive for a single antibody, but was high in those positive for multiple antibodies. All of the donors showing the 3 antibodies were positive for HCV-RNA. While a test for multiple antibodies is thought to be effective for the screening of HCV, more blood needs to be discarded, having a serious cost-performance problem. The O.D. value for C100-3 and the 2nd antibody seem to be useful reference value for antibody titers.

Lactate-dependent killing of Escherichia coli by nitrite plus hydrogen peroxide: a possible role of nitrogen dioxide

The killing of Escherichia coli by nitrite plus hydrogen peroxide was observed in lactate, but not in phosphate or acetate. Although nitrite or hydrogen peroxide alone caused a slight decrease in bacterial survival, nitrite plus hydrogen peroxide killed bacteria synergistically in time-, dose-, and pH-dependent manners. The killing was increased with decreasing pH. The plot of viable cells versus [nitrous acid] was linear. Among the hydroxyl radical scavengers used, only benzoate and formate at concentrations higher than that of lactate inhibited the killing by nitrite plus hydrogen peroxide, whereas dimethyl sulfoxide enhanced it. The generation of peroxynitrous acid during the reaction of nitrite and hydrogen peroxide was confirmed by the formation of malondialdehyde using deoxyribose as a hydroxyl radical-like oxidant detector. The nitration of glycyl-tryosine was observed only in lactate buffer, but not in phosphate and acetate buffers. Benzoate and formate inhibited the nitration, whereas dimethyl sulfoxide and ethanol enhanced it. No evidence for the formation of nitric oxide and superoxide during the reaction of nitrite and hydrogen peroxide was found. These data suggest that nitrogen dioxide from the decomposition of peroxynitrous acid or secondary oxidants formed from the reaction of peroxynitrous acid with lactate is responsible for the lactate-dependent killing of E. coli induced by the reaction of protonated nitrite and hydrogen peroxide.

Increased expression of vascular angiotensin II type 1A receptor gene in glucocorticoid-induced hypertension

OBJECTIVES

We recently demonstrated that glucocorticoid increases the number of angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptors and their gene expression in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells. To clarify whether this mechanism participates in glucocorticoid-induced hypertension, we investigated the effect of dexamethasone on the modulation of vascular AT1 receptor messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in rats.

METHODS

The effects were studied of administering dexamethasone orally to rats at a dose of 0.1 mg/day on the modulation of the expression of vascular AT1 receptor mRNA and the blood pressure. The effects of enalapril maleate, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, were also evaluated.

RESULTS

The dexamethasone-treated rats showed a rise in systolic blood pressure beginning on day 3. On day 5 the blood pressure rose significantly. Before dexamethasone administration the vascular AT1 receptor mRNA was difficult to detect by Northern blot analysis. However, the level of vascular AT1A receptor mRNA began to increase on day 2, when the blood pressure was not yet elevated, and increased further on day 5. The concurrent administration of dexamethasone and enalapril maleate attenuated the elevation of blood pressure. However, as in the dexamethasone-treated rats, the level of AT1A receptor mRNA began to increase on day 2 and increased further on day 5. In rats treated with enalapril maleate alone, the AT1 receptor mRNA was difficult to detect during the experiment.

CONCLUSION

Glucocorticoid increased the amount of vascular AT1 receptor mRNA and contributed to the elevation of blood pressure.

Amino acid sequence of an inhibitor from the silkworm (Bombyx mori) hemolymph against fungal protease

A novel protein protease inhibitor (FPI-F) which is highly specific for fungal proteases and subtilisin was isolated from the silkworm hemolymph, and its amino acid sequence was determined by conventional methods. The inhibitor consisted of 55 amino acid residues and had a molecular weight of 6,100. The inhibitor included eight cysteine residues and relatively large amounts of acidic amino acids, but neither alanine, methionine nor tryptophan. The amino acid sequence of FPI-F was not homologous with those of other known protease inhibitors of microbe, plant or animal origin.

Single amino acid substitution (58Pro-->Ser) in HTLV-I tax results in loss of ras cooperative focus formation in rat embryo fibroblasts

Two tax genes cloned from a healthy HTLV-I carrier in whom the viral genome is clonally integrated into peripheral CD4+CD8+ cells showed a considerable difference in ras cooperative focus forming ability in rat embryo fibroblasts (REF). Sequence analysis revealed differences in two codons of the two genes. SH-1tax and SH-2tax. Studies using recombinants between these two tax genes showed that the deficiency in ability of SH-1tax to cooperate with ras in focus formation in REF was caused by a 58Pro-->Ser substitution. This amino acid substitution did not affect other tax functions such as colony formation in soft agar, focus formation in Rat-1 cells, immortalization of REF, and transcriptional activation through the CREB/ATF and NFkB/rel pathways. These results suggest that the domain of tax required for cooperative focus formation with ras in primary rat fibroblasts may be different from those required for other tax functions.

Incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies and HCV-RNA in blood donors and patients with liver diseases in the inshore area of the Yangtze River

The Nantong area is a high risk region for primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) in the inshore area of the Yangtze River. However, no detailed data are available about hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in this area. We examined the incidences of anti-HCV and HCV-RNA in blood donors with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)- and hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb)-negative and patients with chronic liver diseases in the Nantong area at Nantong Medical College, Jiangsu Province, the People's Republic of China. The incidences of HBV markers (HBsAg and/or HBcAb), anti-HCV (C100-3), second generation anti-HCV, HCV-RNA and any marker of HCV in the Nantong area were found to be: 0.0, 0.7, 0.4, 0.2 and 0.7% in donor bloods; 16.9, 0.0, 3.4, 15.7 and 16.9% in patients with acute hepatitis; 82.8, 2.7, 4.8, 7.5 and 10.2% in those with chronic hepatitis; 86.4, 4.5, 9.1, 4.5 and 11.4% in those with liver cirrhosis; 87.5, 6.3, 0.0, 0.0 and 6.3% in those with PHC; and 21.8, 1.3, 1.3, 0.0 and 1.3% in patients without liver diseases, respectively. Although the Nantong area is a high risk region for PHC, these data suggest that HCV infection is not an important aetiological factor for PHC in this area.

Status of soil-transmitted helminthic infection in Nepal

A retrospective evaluation of the status of soil-transmitted helminthic infection in Nepal during the period from 1985 to 1992 was conducted at the Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, TU Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu. An average of 6,537 faecal samples were examined each year for the presence of various types of intestinal parasites. The annual rate of positivity of these samples for soil-transmitted helminthiasis ranged from 18.0 to 36.6%. The annual incidence decreased every successive calendar year in both adults and children, irrespective of sex. Among the various types of helminths, the most common was Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm), followed by hookworm. The incidence of A. lumbricoides remained constant throughout the study period, while that of other parasites markedly decreased each year.

Kinetic studies on the plasminogen activation by the staphylokinase-plasmin complex

A pure complex of staphylokinase and plasmin was prepared by affinity chromatography with lysine-Sepharose, which enabled the simple analysis of the mechanism of plasminogen activation by staphylokinase. We used a truncated staphylokinase (SAK), which lacks the 10 amino acid residues at the NH2 terminal of native staphylokinase. The purity of this complex was confirmed by the native PAGE profile. Image analysis of the SDS-PAGE profile revealed that the molar ratio of plasmin and SAK in the complex was about 1:1. Using this SAK-plasmin complex, the kinetic parameters for the activation of Glu- or Lys-plasminogen were determined. The kinetic constant, kcat/Km, obtained when Lys-plasminogen was used as a substrate was approximately 10 times higher than that obtained when Glu-plasminogen was used. This plasminogen activation property of the SAK-plasmin complex was comparable to that of other plasminogen activators, such as streptokinase, urokinase, and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA). This SAK-plasmin complex will simplify the elucidation of plasminogen activation by SAK. Through kinetic studies, the fibrin specificity and participation of plasminogen activator inhibitor will be clarified.

[Acidified aspirin-induced gastric lesion in rats with hepatic cirrhosis produced by N-nitrosodiethylamine or carbon tetrachloride. Effect of aldioxa on gastric lesions]

Gastric lesion was induced by the oral administration of acidified aspirin in rats with hepatic cirrhosis produced by N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDA) or carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Gastric lesion by acidified aspirin was aggravated in NDA-induced cirrhosis, but not in CCl4-cirrhotic rats. To clarify this difference in the susceptibility of the gastric mucosa, gastric mucosal blood flow and gastric emptying were measured by the hydrogen gas clearance method and beads method, respectively. Gastric mucosal blood flow was lower and gastric emptying was significantly delayed in NDA-induced cirrhotic rats as compared with the controls, but not in CCl4-induced cirrhotic rats. Gastric mucosal blood flow in NDA-induced cirrhotic rats was significantly decreased by the oral administration of acidified aspirin as compared with the controls. Aldioxa dose-dependently inhibited the gastric lesion formation by acidified aspirin and inhibited the decrease of gastric mucosal blood flow in NDA-induced cirrhotic rats. These results suggest that aggravation of gastric lesion induced by acidified aspirin in NDA-induced cirrhotic rats would be due to the decrease of gastric mucosal blood flow and delay of gastric emptying. In addition, aldioxa showed a protective effect against gastric lesions induced by acidified aspirin in NDA-induced cirrhotic rats, suggesting that this compound would have an inhibitory effect on gastric lesions that are accompanied by hepatic cirrhosis.

Role of intracellular proteases in differentiation of L6 myoblast cells

The activities of cathepsins B, L, and H increased by 3.0, 2.3, and 1.9 fold in differentiation of L6 myoblasts. Separating from the intrinsic inhibitor, both mu- and m-calpain activities also increased by 4.9 and 1.7 fold during differentiation. Calpeptin (10(-5)M), cell penetrating calpain inhibitor, blocked fusion of myoblast by 55% and increment of creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity by 20.3% with inhibiting the activities of cathepsin L and mu-calpain. E-64(10(-4)M) did not block fusion of myoblasts but increment of CPK activity by 25.0% with inhibiting the activities of cathepsin L and B. Calpain may be involved in the process of myoblast fusion.

Temperature high sensitivity of manganese uptake in ileal longitudinal smooth muscle of guinea-pig

1. Mn2+ (5 mM) inhibited completely the K+ (60 mM)-induced ileal tonic tension to the base line, however, the tension increased progressively to the above level of the original K+ tonic response after 3 hr of the Mn2+ application at 37 degrees C. 2. At 30, 32 or 34 degrees C, the tensions which developed after 3 hr of the addition of 5 mM Mn2+ in the high-K+ medium was 0, 21, 48% of their original K+ tonic levels, respectively. 3. The tension development and manganese uptake in the presence of Mn2+ in the high-K+ medium was highly dependent on the temperature in very narrow range of 32-37 degrees C in the suspending medium.

Rate of calcium entry determines the rapid changes in protein kinase C activity in angiotensin II-stimulated adrenal glomerulosa cells

The present study was conducted to monitor precisely the activity of protein kinase C (PKC) in adrenal glomerulosa cells stimulated by angiotensin II (ANG II). PKC activity in cells was monitored by measuring phosphorylation of a synthetic KRTLRR peptide, a specific substrate for PKC, immediately after the permeabilization of the cells with digitonin [Heasley and Johnson J. Biol. Chem. (1989) 264, 8646-8652]. Addition of 1 nM ANG II induced a gradual increase in KRTLRR peptide phosphorylation, which reached a peak at 30 min, and phosphorylation was sustained thereafter. When the action of ANG II was terminated by adding [Sar1,Ala8]ANG II, a competitive antagonist, both Ca2+ entry and KRTLRR phosphorylation ceased rapidly, whereas diacylglyercol (DAG) content was not changed significantly within 10 min. Similarly, when blockade of Ca2+ entry was achieved by decreasing extracellular Ca2+ to 1 microM or by adding 1 microM nitrendipine, KRTLRR peptide phosphorylation was decreased within 5 min. In addition, restoration of Ca2+ entry was accompanied by an immediate increase in KRTLRR peptide phosphorylation. Under the same condition, DAG content did not change significantly. We then examined the role of the PKC pathway in ANG II-induced aldosterone production. Ro 31-8220 inhibited ANG II-induced KRTLRR phosphorylation without affecting the activity of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. In the presence of Ro 31-8220, ANG II-mediated aldosterone production was decreased to approx. 50%. Likewise, intracellular administration of PKC19-36, a sequence corresponding to residues 19-36 of the regulatory domain of PKC known to inhibit PKC activity, attenuated ANG II-mediated activation of PKC and aldosterone output. These results indicate a critical role of Ca2+ entry in the regulation of PKC activity by ANG II.

[Usefulness of hemoglobin A1c and fructosamine for screening of glucose intolerance in community adults]

The usefulness of hemoglobin A1c and fructosamine for screening of glucose intolerance were compared in 383 semi-urban residents ranging from 35 to 88 years of age. Both the sensitivity and specificity of the indices for screening of those with 110 mg/dl and over of fasting blood glucose were examined. The results showed that hemoglobin A1c was better than fructosamine for screening for glucose intolerance.

[Changes in C100-3, and N14 antibodies in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon]

In interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis type C, we assayed C100-3 and N14 antibodies, and also determined IgM-C100-3 and IgM-N14 antibodies as well as HCV-RNA. N14 antibody was assayed by an end point titer method. In patients responding to interferon therapy, C100-3 and N14 antibody titers were decreased and became negative. In patients irresponsive to interferon therapy, C100-3 antibody titers were hardly changed, while N14 antibody titers were markedly increased. IgM-C100-3 and IgM-N14 antibody levels were significantly higher in the patients non-responding to interferon therapy than in those responding to interferon therapy. The daily assays of C100-3 and N14 antibody titers are considered useful in judging the effectiveness of interferon against chronic hepatitis type C.

Marked increase of CD8+S6F1+ and CD8+CD57+ cells in patients with graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from 24 allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients were studied serially using flow cytometry and two-color analysis. Dual labelling with two monoclonal antibodies (moAbs), CD8/S6F1 (CD11a) and CD8/CD57 was used to analyze the surface phenotypes of PBL after allogeneic BMT. In patients with acute and chronic GVHD, CD8+S6F1+ cells were markedly increased from the onset of GVHD and recovered to normal range 6 years after transplantation. By contrast, CD8+S6F1- cells fell below normal range and remained markedly decreased for 2-3 years after transplantation in patients with acute and chronic GVHD. A slight but significant increase of CD8+CD57- cells was observed with clinical signs of acute GVHD. On the other hand, CD8+CD57+ cells were increased after the onset of acute and chronic GVHD and recovered to normal range 6 years after transplantation. These results suggest that these subsets of CD8+ cells may play important roles in the pathophysiology of GVHD.

Identification of an imprinted U2af binding protein related sequence on mouse chromosome 11 using the RLGS method

A new imprinted gene has been discovered in mice using the technique of restriction landmark genomic scanning (RLGS) with methylation sensitive enzymes. Eight out of 3,100 strain-specific NotI and BssHII spots were identified as imprinted in reciprocal F1 hybrids. Subsequently, we isolated a genomic clone for one locus on proximal chromosome 11 near the Glns locus, an imprinted region in uniparental disomic mice, and its corresponding cDNA clone. Expression of this transcript from the paternal allele was established using RT-PCR of reciprocal F1-hybrid mice. The amino-acid sequence deduced from the cDNA showed significant homology to the U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein auxiliary factor 35 kDa subunit.

[Complications of marrow harvesting for transplantation]

Seventy-four responses were received from a questionnaire which had been mailed to 91 bone marrow transplantation institutes throughout Japan to assess the activity of bone marrow transplantation and complications in bone marrow donors. A total of 2329 bone marrow harvests, performed from 1688 adult donors and 641 child donors for allogeneic or syngeneic transplantation up to August 1992, were available for study. Analyses of the responses showed slight diversity regarding the marrow harvesting preparation and methods of the different bone marrow programs. The resulting perioperative complications were principally caused by anesthesia: 73 episodes of hypotension including one death 18 months later, seven of arrhythmia, one of respiratory arrest, three of mental confusion, one of asthma, one of malignant hyperthermia, one tooth injury and one broken aspiration needle. The postoperative complications were chiefly caused by marrow aspiration per se: 731 episodes of transient fever, 26 of long-lasting pain or discomfort, 10 episodes of liver dysfunction including two cases of non-A, non-B hepatitis, four cases of infection, one episode of hypotension, one of dysuria and one case of keloid formation. The study further revealed that the frequency of complications was lower in child donors than in adult donors.

Immunohistochemical study of hepatocellular carcinoma-specific aldehyde dehydrogenase

Tumor-associated aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) was reported in cases of human hepatocellular carcinoma and animal hepatoma models. This ALDH isozyme is similar to ALDH3 which exists in the stomach and lung; however, the biochemical and clinical significance of this unique ALDH isozyme have not been established. Human tumor-associated ALDH was purified, and polyclonal antibodies prepared. Using these antibodies, specific development of tumor-associated ALDH was confirmed by immunohistochemical techniques. It was found that about 50% of hepatocellular carcinomas reacted with the antibody. This unique ALDH isozyme may be a novel tumor marker of hepatocellular carcinoma.

[Inhibitory action of E3810 on H+,K(+)-ATPase and gastric acid secretion in vitro]

The inhibitory action of (+-)-sodium 2-[(4-(3-methoxypropoxy)-3-methylpyridine-2-yl) methylsulfinyl]-1H- benzimidazole (E3810) on H+,K(+)-ATPase and gastric acid secretion in vitro was investigated, and it was compared with those of omeprazole (OPZ). E3810 concentration-dependently inhibited the H+,K(+)-ATPase activity of hog gastric vesicles. Its IC50 was 0.26 microM at pH 6.1. The inhibition was irreversible in nature and reversed by dithiothreitol. The potency of E3810 was 10-times that of omeprazole. Acidification of the intravesicular (luminal) space increased 1000-fold the potency of E3810, indicating that E3810 is a specific inhibitor which binds to the luminal cysteine residue of H+,K(+)-ATPase. Prolonged incubation of up to 180 min in the absence of thiol reagents of rabbit gastric glands which had been inhibited by a low concentration of E3810 (0.3 and 0.5 microM) time-dependently and completely reversed the inhibition, as determined by aminopyrine uptake, whereas it did not recover the acid secretion in omeprazole-treated glands. These results suggest that the acid-activated E3810 is a potent specific inhibitor of H+,K(+)-ATPase, and that the duration of the inhibitory action of E3810 is much shorter than that of omeprazole in isolated gastric glands.

Direct projections from the anterior thalamic nuclei to the retrohippocampal region in the rat

The present study examined the areal and laminar distribution of direct projections from the anterior thalamic nuclei to the retrohippocampal region in the rat, with anterograde transport of Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin. The anteromedial nucleus (AM) projects to the temporal subiculum, medial entorhinal area, perirhinal area, and caudomedial part of the lateral entorhinal area. The interanteromedial nucleus (IAM) projects to the perirhinal area and the caudolateral part of the lateral entorhinal area. Furthermore, both the AM and IAM project to the temporal area 2, occipital area 1, and lateral occipital area 2. The projections from the AM and IAM to these retrohippocampal and neocortical regions terminate mainly in deep layers. The anteroventral nucleus (AV) projects to the subicular complex with a complex topographic organization. The most rostral part of the AV projects to layers I and III of the ventral presubiculum, the pyramidal cell layer of the temporal subiculum, and deep layers of the parasubiculum and medial entorhinal area. At the midrostrocaudal level of the AV, the lateral and the dorsal quadrants of the AV project, respectively, to layers I and III and to layers I and IV-VI of the ventral presubiculum, whereas the ventral and the medial quadrants project, respectively, to layers I and III and to layers I and IV-VI of the dorsal presubiculum. Furthermore, the lateral and dorsal quadrants project to the pyramidal cell layer of the temporal subiculum, whereas the ventral and medial quadrants project more septally. At the caudal third level of the AV, the dorsolateral part projects to layers I and III of the presubiculum with a patchy pattern and to the pyramidal cell layer of the septal subiculum. The anterodorsal nucleus projects mainly to deep layers of the presubiculum, parasubiculum, and entorhinal area. The results show that each subdivision of the anterior thalamic nuclei projects to a distinct field in the retrohippocampal region. This suggests that each of these projections may have a distinct modulatory influence upon the activity of retrohippocampal neurons that play important roles in limbic functioning such as memory and learning processes.