Phylogenetic analyses of the matrix and non-structural genes of equine influenza viruses

Matrix (M) and nonstructural (NS) genes of thirteen equine H3N8 and H7N7 influenza viruses were sequenced and analyzed from an evolutionary point of view. The M and NS genes of H3N8 viruses isolated between 1989 and 1993 evolved into two minor branch clusters, including isolates from Europe and the American continent, respectively. It was noteworthy to reveal that the nucleotide sequences of the M and NS genes of an earlier American strain showed highest homology to those of recent European viruses. "Frozen evolution" was observed in the M and NS genes of A/eq/LaPlata/1/88. It was also evident that the NS gene of an H7N7 virus from 1977 was very similar to that of a 1979-H3N8 virus, while the M gene was closest phylogenetically to that of the earliest H7N7 virus isolated in 1956. Furthermore, the M2 protein of A/eq/Newmarket/1/77 virus contained a carboxyl terminal deletion of three amino acids. The evolutionary rates of the M and NS genes of H3N8 equine influenza viruses were estimated to be 5.4 x 10(-4) and 5.1 x 10(-4) substitutions per site per year, respectively, which were slower than those of human viruses.

Evolutionary characteristics of influenza B virus since its first isolation in 1940: dynamic circulation of deletion and insertion mechanism

New antigenic variants of B/Yamagata/16/88-like lineage which appeared in the season of 1997 as a minor strain tended to predominate in the following season. Also, we could observe for the first time, three peaks of activity caused by H3N2 virus and two variants of B influenza virus. Antigenic and phylogenetic analyses revealed that B/Victoria/2/87-like variants appeared again in Japan in 1997 after a nine-year absence. Influenza B viruses evolved into three major lineages, including the earliest strain (I), B/Yamagata/16/88-like variants (II), which comprised of three sublineages (II-(i), II-(ii), II-(iii)), and B/Victoria/2/87-like variants (III). Evolution of influenza B virus hemagglutinin was apparently distinguishable from that of influenza A virus, showing a systematic mechanism of nucleotide deletion and insertion. This phenomenon was observed to be closely related to evolutionary pathways of I, II-(i), II-(ii), II-(iii) and III lineages. It was noteworthy to reveal that the nucleotide deletion and insertion mechanism of influenza B virus completed one cycle over a fifty-year period, and that a three nucleotide deletion was again observed in 1997 strains belonging to lineage II-(iii). It was evident that amino acid substitutions accompanying nucleotide insertions were highly conserved.

Cytokine production by T cells infiltrating in the eye of uveitis patients

The capacity of T cells to produce cytokines was investigated using T-cell clones (TCCs) established from infiltrating cells in the aqueous humor (AH) or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease or sarcoidosis. The cytokines produced and tested in the study were interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-6, IL-8, interferon (IFN)-gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and granulocyte monocyte colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). All TCCs (n = 9) from AH of VKH patients spontaneously produced significantly larger amounts of IL-6, IL-8, and IFN-gamma than TCCs from healthy donor PBMC. All TCCs (n = 9) from AH of the sarcoidosis patient spontaneously produced significantly larger amounts of IL-1alpha, IL-6, and IL-8 than TCCs from healthy donor PBMC. In addition, the effects of antiinflammatory drugs on the cytokine production by the TCCs were investigated. Hydrocortisone significantly suppressed the production of IL-6, IL-8, and GM-CSF by TCCs from AH of VKH patients. Tacrolimus also significantly suppressed the production of IL-8 and GM-CSF by the TCCs. FTY720, an experimental drug, suppressed only GM-CSF production by TCCs from AH of VKH patients. Diclofenac failed to suppress the production of any cytokines by any TCCs. All tested drugs did not suppress the production of cytokines by TCCs from the sarcoidosis patient. These results thus suggest that cytokines produced by T cells infiltrating in the eye may play an important role in the pathogenesis of uveitis.

Differential effects on D2 dopamine receptor and prolactin gene expression by haloperidol and aripiprazole in the rat pituitary

[3H]Spiperone-binding assay to D2 receptors and quantitative ribonuclease protection assay for both isoforms (D2L and D2S receptor) of the D2 receptor mRNA and the prolactin mRNA were performed on pituitaries from the control rat and from the rat injected orally daily with either haloperidol (2 mg/kg) or aripiprazole (24 mg/kg) for 21 days. Haloperidol treatment increased the [3H]spiperone-binding by 28%, the levels of D2L and D2S receptor mRNA by 41% and 38%, respectively, and the level of prolactin mRNA by 26%. In contrast, the treatment with aripiprazole, a newly developed atypical antipsychotic with reduced side effects, decreased the [3H]spiperone-binding by 24% and the levels of D2L and D2S receptor mRNA by 23% and 23%, respectively, and did not have any effect on the level of prolactin mRNA. The same treatment with sulpiride (100 mg/kg) increased the levels of D2L and D2S receptor mRNA by 59% and 62%, respectively, but treatment with clozapine (25 mg/kg) did not cause any effect. Neither treatment changed the ratio of the level of D2S receptor mRNA to the level of D2L receptor mRNA in the pituitary. These findings indicate that D2 receptor densities in the pituitary are influenced differentially by the treatment with these antipsychotics, which could be induced at least partly by the changes in the levels of mRNA without any effects on the splicing mechanisms and thus affect the plasticity of the prolactin mRNA expression. The inhibitory effects of chronic aripiprazole treatment on D2 receptors in the pituitary might underlie this drug's clinical property of reduced hyperprolactinemia side effect.

An equine herpesvirus type 1 recombinant with a deletion in the gE and gI genes is avirulent in young horses

The cell culture-adapted KyA strain of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) has been found to be attenuated in young horses (Matsumura et al., 1996, Vet. Microbiol. 48, 353-365). The KyA strain lacks at least six genes in its genome, including those encoding glycoproteins gE and gI. To elucidate whether EHV-1 glycoproteins gE and gI play a role in viral virulence, we have constructed an EHV-1 recombinant that has the genes encoding both gE and gI deleted from its genome and its revertant. Growth properties of the deletion mutant virus in vitro were compared with those of the parent and the revertant viruses. Plaque size of the mutant virus in fetal horse kidney (FHK) cells was significantly smaller than those of the parent and the revertant viruses. In one-step growth experiments, however, the yields of infectious virus from FHK cells infected with the deletion mutant, the parent, or the revertant virus were approximately the same. The results suggested that gE and/or gI of EHV-1 promoted cell-to-cell spread of the virus, but that these glycoproteins were not involved in the process of virus maturation and release or in virus attachment and penetration. Subsequently, the virulence of mutant and revertant viruses was examined in young horses. No clinical signs were observed in six horses, including three colostrum-deprived foals inoculated intranasally with the deletion mutant virus, whereas three colostrum-deprived foals inoculated intranasally with the revertant virus manifested clinical signs typical for EHV-1 respiratory infection (i.e., pyrexia, nasal discharge, and swelling of submandibular lymph nodes). The results obtained from in vivo studies revealed that the EHV-1 mutant defective in both gE and gI genes was avirulent in young horses, suggesting that gE and/or gI of the EHV-1 have an important role in EHV-1 virulence. However, the EHV-1 mutant defective in both gE and gI genes induced only a partial protectivity in inoculated foals from manifestation of respiratory symptoms after challenge infection.

Feeding rhythm and ornithine decarboxylase activity in hereditary microphthalmic rats

The effects of congenital absence of visual input on daily rhythms of feeding behavior and tissue ornithine decarboxylase activity were examined in hereditary blind rats. Food intake of normal and hereditary microphthalmic rats was determined every 3 h over 48 h under a 12 h-12 h light-dark cycle. Normal rats took their daily food mainly during the dark period, with two clear peaks in the evening and morning, but hereditary microphthalmic rats ate continuously, suggesting that the feeding rhythm of the hereditary microphthalmic rats is not entrained by the light-dark cycle due to a lack of their optic nerve. The hepatic and renal ornithine decarboxylase activities in normal rats showed a circadian rhythm with a peak at 2000 hours in the dark period as reported previously. In hereditary blind rats, however, the hepatic and renal enzyme activities were found not to undergo any remarkable diurnal change through the light-dark period. These results mean that the feeding rhythm and hepatic and renal ornithine decarboxylase activity rhythm in hereditary blind rats disappeared.

Modulation of a cAMP/protein kinase A cascade by protein kinase C in sensory neurons of Aplysia

The synaptic connections between the sensory neurons of Aplysia and their follower neurons have been used as a model system for examining the cellular mechanisms contributing to neuronal and synaptic plasticity. Recent studies suggest that at least two protein kinases, protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC), contribute to serotonin (5-HT)-induced short-term facilitation. The interaction between these two kinase cascades has not been examined, however. Using electrophysiological and biochemical approaches, we examined possible interactions between PKA and PKC cascades. The results indicated that prolonged activation of PKC by preincubation with phorbol esters attenuated PKA-mediated actions of 5-HT, including increases in sensory neuron excitability and spike broadening in the presence of tetraethylammonium (TEA) and nifedipine. Although phorbol esters also attenuated increases in excitability by an analog of cAMP and small cardioactive peptide B (SCPB), the degree of attenuation was smaller. In addition, phorbol esters did not attenuate broadening of TEA spikes by the cAMP analog and SCPB. Thus, phorbol esters appeared specifically to attenuate aspects of the 5-HT activation of the cAMP/PKA cascade. Measurements of cAMP levels with radioimmunoassays revealed that phorbol esters did not attenuate 5-HT-induced cAMP synthesis, however. Finally, the results indicated that phorbol esters themselves induced a small but significant increase in excitability as well as an increase in the level of cAMP. Our results suggest that there is crosstalk between the PKC and PKA cascades. The mechanisms by which phorbol esters specifically attenuate 5-HT-induced activation of the cAMP/PKA cascade are not known, however.

Distribution of motoneurons innervating tail muscles in the pigeon

The distribution of motoneurons innervating the tail muscles, M. levator caudae, M. depressor caudae, M. pubocaudalis externus, M. pubocaudalis internus, M. lateralis caudae and M. flexor cruris, in the adult pigeon was examined by retrograde transport of horseradish peroxides. Labeled motoneurons innervating tail muscles were distributed in the longitudinal column of the spinal cord below the sacral spinal segment 5. The average diameter of cell bodies ranged from 23.7 to 62.5 microns. Each motoneuron pool was localized in a characteristic position in the ventral horn.

Little or no response to 24-hr water-deprivation of Fos-like immunoreactivity in vasopressinergic magnocellular neurons in the hypothalamus of hereditary microphthalmic rats

In normal rats, 24-hr water-deprivation was found to cause a significant increase in the plasma concentration of arginine vasopressin (AVP), and marked induction of Fos in the AVP-positive magnocellular neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and the supraoptic nucleus (SON) of the hypothalamus. On the other hand, 24-hr water-deprivation also caused a significant increase in the plasma AVP concentration in hereditary microphthalmic rats, but much less than in normal rats. Consistent with this, the extent of induction of Fos in the nuclei of the PVN and SON of these rats was lesser than in normal rats. These results suggest that hereditary microphthalmic rats have a defect or decrease in the response to water-deprivation of vasopressinergic magnocellular neurons in the PVN and SON.

[A study of the effects of antidepressants on the GABAA receptor and its complex based on the drug actions on the power-spectral changes of rat hippocampal EEG induced by GABA antagonists and inverse agonists]

To analyze the effects of antidepressants on the GABAA receptor, we investigated how the chronic administration of antidepressants (10 mg/kg twice a day for three or seven days, ip) influenced the power-spectral changes induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ; a GABA antagonist; 27.5 mg/kg) or beta-carboline-3-carboxylic-acid-methylester (beta-CCM; an inverse agonist; 1 mg/kg) on rat hippocampal EEGs. PTZ and beta-CCM are known to inhibit the chloride ionophore and benzodiazepine receptor (GABAA receptor complex), respectively. After the ip injection of both compounds, the EEG power under 12 Hz increased to about five times that before injection. Between the rats that did not receive any antidepressants and all those injected with the drugs for 3 days or treated with desipramine (DMI) for 7 days, there were no apparent changes in the effect of PTZ or beta-CCM. However, in the rats treated with imipramine, fluoxetine or trazodone for 7 days, the increase in power after the injection of PTZ or beta-CCM was apparently suppressed. In these rats, the power values were less than three times those before the dosing of PTZ or beta-CCM. DMI is known to inhibit the re-uptake of norepinephrine (NE), while the other three antidepressants inhibit that of serotonin (5-HT). Trazodone is also reported to block the 5-HT2 sites. These observations might indicate that the chronic administration of antidepressants prompted the function of the GABAA receptor complex. Moreover, it is also suggested that, to that action, the effect of antidepressants on the 5-HT system or interaction between the 5-HT system and GABA receptors might play some role.

c-fos antisense blocks methamphetamine-induced ambulatory activity reversibly

To investigate the involvement of immediate early genes (IEGs) in the ambulatory activity induced by a low dose of methamphetamine (MAP) in mice, we injected an antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) to c-fos mRNA stereotactically into the striatum of ddY male mice. MAP (2 mg kg-1)-induced ambulatory activity was significantly suppressed when the mouse was pretreated by the ODN (2 mM, 1 microliter), and this was accompanied by a decrease in c-Fos-like protein immunoreactivity. Repetitive intermittent administration of MAP at intervals of 3 days confirmed that the suppressive effect was transient and reproducible. These results suggest that c-Fos is at least partly the key molecule regulating the psychomotor stimulation by MAP in mouse brain.

Immunohistochemical characterization of the suprachiasmatic nucleus and the intergeniculate leaflet in the hereditary bilaterally microphthalmic rat

Immunohistochemical observation was performed in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and the intergeniculate leaflet (IGL) of hereditary bilaterally microphthalmic rats without the optic nerve on both sides. In the microphthalmic rats, volume of the SCN reduced to ca. 70% of the normal and numbers of the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-like immunoreactive (lir) neurons were significantly decreased. Although the arginine vasopressin (aVP)- and the VIP-lir neurons distributed in the dorsomedial and the ventrolateral part of the SCN, respectively, as reported in the normal one, somatostatin-lir neurons, localizing mainly in a border area between the dorsomedial and the ventrolateral region of the normal SCN, were shifted to the ventral part of the SCN in the microphthalmic rats. The ventral part of the SCN was covered with neuropeptide Y (NPY)-lir fibers in both normal and mutant rats. The IGL was hardly delineated cytologically in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of the mutant rats. NPY-lir neurons were found in the dorsal part of the ventral LGN, in contrast to their even distribution in the normal IGL. These findings suggest that the IGL-SCN tract remains in the hereditary microphthalmic rats without the retinal projections.

Differential effects of 4-aminopyridine, serotonin, and phorbol esters on facilitation of sensorimotor connections in Aplysia

Serotonergic modulation of sensory neurons in Aplysia and their synaptic connections with follower cells has been used extensively as a model system with which to study mechanisms underlying neuronal plasticity. Serotonin (5-HT)-induced facilitation of sensorimotor connections is due to at least two processes: a process related to the broadening of presynaptic action potentials and a spike-duration-independent (SDI) process that may involve mobilization of transmitter. We have examined the relationship between spike broadening and synaptic facilitation of relatively nondepressed sensorimotor connections in the intact pleural-pedal ganglia. Previously, 5-HT-induced spike broadening in the sensory neuron was shown to be primarily due to the modulation of a voltage-dependent K+ current (Ik.v). Low concentrations (20-30 microM) of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) were used to rather selectively block Ik.v. 4-AP increased spike duration in the sensory neuron and the excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) in the motor neuron. The temporal development of 4-AP-induced spike broadening closely parallel that of synaptic facilitation. Thus spike broadening via the reduction of Ik.v can directly contribute to synaptic facilitation. The relationship between spike broadening induced by 5-HT (10 microM) and enhancement of the EPSP was also analyzed. We found that components of 5-HT-induced synaptic facilitation preceded the development of 5-HT-induced spike broadening. The comparison between the results of 4-AP and 5-HT revealed that the SDI processes made an important contribution to the rapid development of 5-HT-induced synaptic facilitation and that spike broadening made an important contribution to its maintenance. The SDI process and a slowly developing component of 5-HT-induced spike broadening are mediated, at least in part, by the activation of protein kinase C (PKC). Application of phorbol 12,13-diacetate (PDAc), an activator of PKC, partially mimicked the effects of 5-HT on spike duration and the EPSP. PDAc-induced enhancement of the EPSP preceded the slower development of PDAc-induced spike broadening. Like 5-HT, PDAc enhanced the EPSP via both spike broadening and the SDI processes. In addition, a 15-min exposure to PDAc occluded 5-HT-induced enhancement of the EPSP, suggesting that PKC and 5-HT engage similar or overlapping mechanisms. On the basis of these results and others, we propose a time-dependent hypothesis for the 5-HT-induced synaptic facilitation of nondepressed synapses, in which multiple second-messenger/protein kinase systems mediate the actions of 5-HT via both spike-duration-dependent and SDI processes.

Location of motoneurons supplying tail muscles in the domestic fowl

The distribution of motoneurons innervating the tail muscles, levator caudae, depressor caudae, pubocaudalis externus, pubocaudalis internus, lateralis caudae and flexor cruris, in the adult domestic fowl was examined by retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase Labeled motoneurons supplying tail muscles were distributed in longitudinal column in the spinal cord below sacral spinal segment 3 and average diameters of cell bodies ranged from 27 to 59 microns. Each motor pool was localized in a characteristic position in the ventral horn.

[Motor evoked potentials of transcranial magnetic stimulation for Parkinson's disease]

We studied motor evoked potential (MEP) elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in 37 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). TMS was used at high energy capacity (800 Volts) in all patients and normal subjects under resting position. MEPs were recorded from the abductor pollicis brevis and the abductor hallucis. Magnetic stimulator equipped with an 8-shaped coil and a flat type coil was used for TMS. The data were statistically evaluated using a paired Student t test. The latency of MEPs were slightly shorter in PD patients than that in normal subjects. There were significant differences between HV. (Healthy volunteers) and group B (Hoehn & Yahr's stage III) (p = 0.012), HV, and group C (Hoehn & Yahr's stage IV.V) (p = 0.002), group A (Hoehn & Yahr's stage I.II) and C (p = 0.005) respectively. The duration of MEPs became longer depending on the severity of PD evaluated by Hoehn & Yahr's disability rating. Significant correlations were found between HV, and group C (p = 0.001), group A and C (p = 0.015). The amplitude of MEPs also increased with the severity on the rating. There were significant differences between HV, and group C (p = 0.0002), group A and B (p = 0.0004), group B and C (p = 0.0009) respectively. These changes of MEP findings indicated the dysfunction of pyramidal motor pathways in PD. Thus, the disability in patients with PD can be well evaluated by MEP measurement.

Genetic diversity of Argentine isolates of feline immunodeficiency virus

We report the nucleotide sequence and genetic diversity of part of the envelope (env) gene of four strains of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) isolated from Argentine domestic cats. The DNA encoding the V3 to V5 regions of the env gene of the FIV isolates were amplified by PCR, cloned and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Argentine isolates did not cluster into a single group; one isolate clustered with subtype B FIV isolated in the USA and Japan, whereas the others formed a new cluster of FIV which might represent a prototype sequence for subtype E.

Evolutionary characterization of recent human H3N2 influenza A isolates from Japan and China: novel changes in the receptor binding domain

Recent human H3N2 influenza viruses isolated in Japan and China were characterised from an evolutionary point of view. They appeared to have divided into three minor branch clusters, including 1992-1993, 1993-1994 and 1994-1995 isolates. It was of particular interest to reveal that in addition to amino acid substitutions in the antigenic sites of the HA molecule, amino acid changes occurred at position 226 of the receptor binding site from lysine or glutamine to isoleucine in all strains belonging to the 1994-1995 branch cluster. This is the first evidence of human H3N2 influenza isolates, or any other influenza HA serotypes, to contain a conserved amino acid residue other than lysine or glutamine at this key position.

The role of olfaction in oil preference in the chicken

The role of olfaction on the preference of diets containing 20% medium-chain (MCT) or long-chain triacylglycerol (LCT) was investigated in the chicken. Olfactory bulbectomized, sham-operated (Sham) or intact (Intact) birds were offered a choice between LCT or MCT diet and food intake was measured over a short time period. Intact and Sham groups showed a significant preference for LCT over MCT diet, but olfactory-bulbectomized chickens lost the preference for LCT over MCT. The bilateral cutting of the olfactory nerves confirmed the results taken in olfactory bulbectomy. It is concluded that olfaction plays a major role in the preference of diets containing MCT or LCT in chickens.

Suppression by IL-10 and IL-4 of cytokine production induced by two-way autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction

The immune response of T cells to self-HLA antigens on autologous non-T cells is known as the autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR), and is defective in various diseases. We have investigated the effects of exogenous IL-10, a potential agent to treat various inflammatory diseases, on cytokine production induced by two-way AMLR in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Effects of exogenous IL-4 were also investigated. IL-10 suppressed IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha and GM-CSF production when added at the beginning of culture and added 24 h after incubation. It abolished IL-1 alpha production only when added at the beginning of culture. IL-10 did not inhibit IL-3 production. The pattern of suppression by IL-10 of cytokine production induced by anti-CD3 mAb or PHA was similar to that induced by AMLR. Although IL-4 showed a largely similar pattern of inhibition when added at the beginning of culture, the level of inhibition was much lower than that of IL-10. IL-4 did not inhibit cytokine production when added 24 h after culture. These results indicate that IL-10, but not IL-4, is a potent inhibitor to cytokine production induced by two-way AMLR.

Phencyclidine-induced expression of c-Fos-like immunoreactivity in mouse brain regions

For the purpose of studying a role of immediate early genes in psychotomimetic-induced behavioral excitation, we experimentally enhanced the locomotor activity of mice by acute administration of phencyclidine and examined the expression and localization of the c-Fos-like and c-Jun-like immunoreactivities in brain regions. A single injection of phencyclidine (5.0 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly increased not only the locomotor activity but also the expression of c-Fos-like immunoreactivity in several brain regions, particularly in the parietal cortex, hippocampal dentate gyrus, piriform cortex and hypothalamus. Interestingly, the c-Fos-like immunoreactivity in the parietal cortex continued to increase for 1 week after the phencyclidine injection. These results indicate that phencyclidine, even injected only once, can induce the persistent expression of c-Fos or c-Fos-related protein(s) in the mouse brain, and also suggest the possibility that such a c-Fos expression may underlie the behavioral and/or psychotomimetic effects of phencyclidine.

In vitro effects of immunosuppressive agents on cytokine production by HTLV-I-infected T cell clones derived from the ocular fluid of patients with HTLV-I uveitis

The present study was designed to investigate the in vitro effects of potential therapeutic agents on cytokine production by five HTVL-I-infected T cell clones (TCC) established from the ocular fluid of patients with HTLV-I uveitis. Each of the five HTLV-I-infected TCC was cultured at 1 x 10(6) cells/ml with or without an immunosuppressive agent (hydrocortisone, FK506, rapamycin, indomethacin, or prostaglandin E2) for 22 hr in humidified 5% CO2 in air at 37 C. The production of various cytokines in the culture supernatant from each TCC was measured by ELISA. The HTLV-I-infected TCC produced high amounts of IL-1 alpha, IL-3, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and GM-CSF, and low but significant levels of IL-2 and IL-10 without any stimuli. Hydrocortisone severely depressed the production by these TCC of all the cytokines except for IL-2, which was slightly increased. Prostaglandin E2 depressed the production of IL-1 alpha, while it up-regulated the production of IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma. Rapamycin depressed the production of IL-6 and TNF-alpha, and FK506 depressed the production of TNF-alpha. Hydrocortisone also severely depressed the cytokine production by PHA-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from healthy volunteers. Of the immunosuppressive agents tested, hydrocortisone exhibited the strongest suppression of cytokine production by HTLV-I-infected TCC. This result was in agreement with the in vivo effects of hydrocortisone in patients with HTLV-I uveitis. These TCC will be useful in investigating the effects of potential therapeutic agents for HTLV-I uveitis in vitro.

Melanocyte lysis by cytotoxic T lymphocytes recognizing the MART-1 melanoma antigen in HLA-A2 patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease

The MART-1/Melan-A melanoma antigen recognized by the majority of HLA-A2-restricted tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes is a self antigen expressed on melanocytes and the retina. We have investigated whether Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease and sympathetic ophthalmia (SO), systemic inflammatory disorders affecting various organs containing melanocytes, are autoimmune diseases directed toward the MART-1 antigen. In two of three patients with VKH disease and one patient with SO, CD8(+) T cell clones (TCC) form intraocular fluid of HLA-A2(+) patients lysed T2 cells when pulsed with a HLA-A2-binding MART-1 peptide, but not a HLA-A2-binding pMel-17 or tyrosinase peptide, in a HLA-A2-restricted manner. In addition, Th, TCC recognizing a HLA-A2-binding MART-1 peptide were also established from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a patient with VKH disease. In contrast, either CD4(+) TCC from these patients or CD8(+) TCC from the intraocular fluid of HLA-A2(+) patients with uveitis associated with Behcet's disease or HTLV-1 uveitis did not show this cytotoxicity. The results demonstrate that the MART-1 peptide-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes lyse melanocytes in the eye of patients with VKH disease or SO, suggesting that these diseases are autoimmune diseases directed toward the MART-1 antigen in HLA-A2(+) patients.

Efferents from the optic tectum to the brain stem in the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Anterogradely biocytin method

Efferents from the optic tectum to the brain stem in the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) were studied with the anterogradely biocytin method. After injection of biocytin into the ipsilateral optic tectum, labeled terminals were seen in the rotund nucleus (Rt), neuropil part of the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus (GLnv), principal part of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, lateral part of the dorsolateral thalamic nucleus, triangular nucleus (T), superficial parvocellular nucleus (SPC), pretectal nucleus, pretectal area (PA), subpretectal nucleus, central gray matter (GC), isthimo optic nucleus (ION), magnocellular and parvocellular parts of the isthimo nuclei (Imc and Ipc), semilunar nucleus (SLu), lateral and medial pontine nuclei and reticular formation (FRM) of the medulla, ipsilaterally. Labeled fibers were seen in the septomesencephalic tract nucleus, FRM, interstitio-paraetecto-subpraetectal nucleus, and the dorsal and ventral tectoreticular tracts (TRd and TRv). In the contralateral brain stem, labeled terminals were seen in the Rt, T. FRM, PA and paramedian nucleus. The contralateral terminals were remarkably fewer than those of the ipsilateral side. The present findings of the labeled terminals of the SPC and the GC at the level of the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve (MnT), and the topographic projection from optic tectum to the Rt in the thalamus, were original observations in the avian. The labeled terminals in the GLnv, Ipc, Imc and ION showed topographical projections from the optic tectum. Pathways to the contralateral brain stem were via the commissure posterior, ventral supraoptic decussation, and the predorsal bundle. The present results suggest that tectofugal impulses in the quail relate to various functions with special relation to the function of the GC at the level of the MnT as well as a visual function.