[Effects of repeated electroacupuncture on gene expression of cannabinoid receptor-1 and dopamine 1 receptor in nucleus accumbens-caudate nucleus region in inflammatory-pain rats]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of repeated electroacupuncture (EA) on the expression of cannabinoid receptor-1 (CB 1) mrRNA and dopamine 1 receptor (D 1) mRNA in Nucleus Accumbens (NAC)-Caudate Nucleus (CN) region in inflammatory-pain rats, so as to study its underlying mechanism in analgesia.

METHODS

A total of 30 SD rats were randomized into normal control, model, EA, EA+ AM 251 and WIN 55212-2 groups, with 6 cases in each group. EA (2 Hz/100 Hz, 1 -3 mA) was applied to "Zusanli"(ST 36) and "Kunlun"(BL 60) for 30 min, once every other day, and 4 sessions all together. Arthritis model was established by injection of Freund's complete adjuvant 0.05 mL in the rat's left ankle. Thermal pain threshold (paw withdrawal latency, PWL) was detected before and after modeling and after repeated EA and/or intraperitoneal injection of AM 251(an inverse antagonist at the CB 1 cannabinoid receptor, 0. 1 mg/100 g) and WIN 55212-2 (a potent cannabinoid receptor agonist, 0. 2 mg/100 g). The expression of CB 1 receptor mRNA and D 1 receptor mRNA in the NAC-CN region was measured by real time fluorescence quantitative-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the pain threshold values of the model group was decreased significantly (P<0.01). In comparison with the model group, the pain threshold values of the EA group and WIN 55212-2 group were increased considerably on day 10 (P<0. 01). No significant differences were found between the EA+ AM 251 and model groups and between the EA and WIN 55212-2 groups in PWL after the treatment (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, both CB 1 R mRNA and D 1 R mRNA expression levels in the model group were increased slightly, while in comparison with the model group and EA+ AM 251 group, CB 1 R mRNA and D 1 R mRNA expression levels in the EA group and WIN 55212-2 group were upregulated obviously. No significant differences were found between the EA + AM 251 and model groups and between the EA and WIN 55212-2 groups in CB 1 R mRNA and D 1 R mRNA expression levels.

Transplantation of rat neural stem cells reduces stereotypic behaviors in rats after intrastriatal microinfusion of Tourette syndrome sera

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a heterogenous neuropsychiatric disorder. In most cases, tics are self-limited or can be treated by behavioral or pharmacological therapy. However, for some individuals, tics can cause lifelong impairment and life-threatening symptoms, which are intractable to traditional treatment. Neural stem cell (NSC) is a potential tool to treat certain neurological diseases. In this study, we proposed to use neural stem cell transplantation as a novel therapy to treat TS and discussed its efficacy. Wistar rats were microinfused with TS sera into the striatum followed by the transplantation of NSCs or vehicle at the infusion site. The sera of the TS patients were identified to have enriched antineural antibodies. Prior to grafting, rat embryonic NSCs were co-cultured with 5-bromodeoxyuridine (Brdu) for 24 h. Stereotypic behaviors were counted at 1, 7, 14 and 21 days after transplantation of NSCs. Morphological analyses revealed that NSCs survived and differentiated into neurons and astrocytes in the striatum 3 weeks after grafting. To sum it up, rat embryonic neural stem cell grafts survived and differentiated in the striatum of TS rat may help relieve stereotypic behaviors of the host. Our results suggest that transplantation of NSCs intrastriatum may have therapeutic potential for TS.

Effect of dopamine injection into caudate nucleus on immune responsiveness in rats: a pilot study

Caudate nucleus (CN) plays a role in neural-immune interactions and dopamine is an important neurotransmitter in it. Hence, the effect of injection of dopamine and spiperone, a dopamine antagonist into the nucleus and lesion of caudate nucleus on humoral immunity was evaluated in albino rats. Dopamine injection into caudate nucleus at a dose of 4 microg/rat/day for 6 days was found to significantly attenuate antibody response following primary immunization of rats with sheep red blood cells (SRBC), decreased the spleen and body weight ratio and total globulin levels. Bilateral lesion of caudate nucleus also had similar effects whereas injection of spiperone (4 microg/rat/day for 6 days) into caudate nucleus enhanced the primary antibody response. The observed changes following dopamine or dopamine antagonist into caudate nucleus indicate that dopaminergic pathway of caudate nucleus negatively modulates humoral immunity in rats.

Regional changes of brain serotonin and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindolacetic Acid and development of immunosuppression in submissive mice

The production of submissive behavior in C57BL/6J mice during 10 or 20 days of social confrontations resulted in increases in serotonin (5-HT) content in the amygdala, hippocampus, nucleus caudatus, Al1, A10, A9, and hypothalamus. The level of 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA) was higher in most structures after 20 daily encounters compared to animals tested for 10 days. The ratio 5-HIAA/5-HT was increased in the nucleus raphe, accumbens, A9, and hypothalamus in mice displaying submission during 10 and 20 confrontations. The experience of defeats during 10 days accompanied with 5-HT system activation in a number of brain structures (nucleus raphe, accumbens, and A9) produced immunosuppression. With increasing number of confrontations the ratio 5-HIAA/5-HT was decreased in the same structures and a tendency to the immune response elevation appeared.

Prevalence of serum antibodies to caudate nucleus in autistic children

Autism may involve autoimmunity to brain. We studied regional distribution of antibodies to rat caudate nucleus, cerebral cortex, cerebellum, brain stem and hippocampus. The study included 30 normal and 68 autistic children. Antibodies were assayed by immunoblotting. Autistic children, but not normal children, had antibodies to caudate nucleus (49% positive sera), cerebral cortex (18% positive sera) and cerebellum (9% positive sera). Brain stem and hippocampus were negative. Antibodies to caudate nucleus were directed towards three proteins having 160, 115 and 49 kD molecular weights. Since a significant number of autistic children had antibodies to caudate nucleus, we propose that an autoimmune reaction to this brain region may cause neurological impairments in autistic children. Thus, the caudate nucleus might be involved in the neurobiology of autism.

Ceruloplasmin immunoreactivity in neurodegenerative disorders

Ceruloplasmin (CP) is a 132 kd cuproprotein which, together with transferrin, provides the majority of anti-oxidant capacity in serum. Increased iron deposition and lipid peroxidation in the basal ganglia of subjects with hereditary CP deficiency suggest that CP may serve as an anti-oxidant in the brain as well. The present study compared CP immunoreactivity in brain specimens from normal controls and subjects with neurodegenerative disorders (Alzheimer's disease [AD], Parkinson's disease [PD], progressive supranuclear palsy [PSP], and Huntington's disease [HD]) (n = 5 per group). The relative intensity of neuronal CP staining and the numbers of CP-stained neurons per 25x microscope field were determined in hippocampus (CA1, subiculum, and parahippocampal gyrus), parietal cortex, frontal cortex, substantia nigra, and caudate. CP was detected in both neurons and astrocytes in all specimens, and in senile plaques and occasional neurofibrillary tangles in AD brain. Neuronal CP staining intensity tended to increase in most AD brain regions, but was statistically significant vs controls only in the CA1 region of hippocampus (p = .016). Neuronal CP staining in brain specimens from other neurodegenerative disorders showed a slight but nonsignificant increase vs controls. The numbers of CP-stained neurons per field did not differ between the various neurodegenerative disorders and controls. These results suggest that a modest increase in neuronal CP content is present in the AD brain, and lesser elevations in neuronal CP occur in the other neurodegenerative disorders in this study. Though CP functions as both an acute phase protein and an anti-oxidant in peripheral tissues, whether it does so in the brain remains to be determined.

Antibodies against human putamen in adolescents with anorexia nervosa

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether antiputamen antibodies are present in adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN).

METHOD

Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with an extract of human putamen as an antigen, sera samples obtained from 22 adolescents with active AN and from 22 healthy adolescents (control group) were assayed for antibodies to neuronal components

RESULTS

Mean optical density (OD) readings for serum antibodies against human putamen in adolescents with AN was significantly greater than the mean OD readings in the control group (0.492 +/- 0.086 vs. 0.275 +/- 0.028, p =.02). When serum positivity was defined as an OD level greater than 2 SD above the mean control group value (0.541), antiputamen antibodies were detected in the blood of 6 AN patients (27%) whereas they were detected in the blood of 1 patient (5%) in the control group (p <.05; Fisher's exact test).

DISCUSSION

The detection of antiputamen antibodies in adolescents with AN suggests an underlying immune process at the putamen level in some patients with this eating disorder.

[Participation of the rat caudate nucleus in the immunostimulating effect of DAGO]

The data obtained suggest that administration of the DAGO increased the number of plaque- and rosette-forming cells after immunisation with the sheep red blood cells in the sham-operated Wistar rats. Following destruction of the caudate nucleus, the DAGO administration prevented the immune activation. Bilateral destruction of the caudate nucleus resulted in a considerable inhibition of the immune response as compared with the control rats. Thereupon the caudate nucleus seems to be involved in realisation of the DAGO-induced immune activation.

Inflammatory responses and their impact on beta-galactosidase transgene expression following adenovirus vector delivery to the primate caudate nucleus

An E1, E3 deleted adenovirus vector, serotype 5, carrying the marker gene LacZ was bilaterally microinfused into the caudate nuclei of 10 St Kitts green monkeys. The location and number of cells expressing transgene and host immunologic response were evaluated at 1 week (n = 2) and 1 month (n = 8) following vector infusion. A large number of cells expressed beta-galactosidase in some monkeys, exceeding 600000 in one monkey, but no expression was seen in three of 10. All monkeys had positive adenoviral antibody titers before vector infusion, indicating the possibility of previous exposure to some adenovirus, but only one showed a significant increase in titer afterwards. Inflammatory cell markers revealed an inverse correlation between transgene expression and the extent of inflammatory response. Dexamethasone administered immediately before and for 8 days following vector delivery, however, had no effect on transgene expression. The demonstration of significant inflammatory responses in the brain of some individual primates, including demyelination, indicates the need for new generations of adenovirus vectors, or the successful suppression of inflammatory responses, before this vector is suitable for non-cytotoxic clinical applications in the CNS.

Restricted unilateral Sydenham's chorea: reversible contralateral striatal hypermetabolism demonstrated on single photon emission computed tomographic scanning

Sydenham's chorea results from group A streptococcus infection and subsequent generation of antineuronal antibodies directed at the caudate nucleus and putamen. Predominantly bilateral, in up to 30% of cases the chorea can be unilaterally restricted. Imaging studies, both structural (magnetic resonance imaging) and functional (positron emission tomography), in patients with bilateral Sydenham's chorea have suggested reversible striatal abnormalities. Two patients with unilateral Sydenham's chorea are presented. Computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging were normal in both. However, hexamethylpropylenamine oxime single photon emission tomographic (HMPAO SPECT) studies demonstrated hypermetabolism in the contralateral basal ganglia. Resolution of symptoms in one of the patients coincided with normalization of the SPECT scan. Thus, unilateral striatal hypermetabolism appears to underlie the contralateral chorea observed. A SPECT scan probably should be included in the work-up of new-onset chorea.

Antineuronal antibodies in rheumatic chorea

The objectives of our study were to examine the sera of rheumatic chorea (RhCh) patients (those with acute or chronic RhCh or with a past history of RhCh) for the presence of antineuronal antibodies (ANeurA) and to correlate the results with disease activity, chronicity, and the number and durations of choreic attacks. Subjects were inpatients of the Pediatric Hospital, Ain Shams University, and outpatients of the Outpatient Pediatric Cardiology Clinic (both in Cairo, Egypt). Forty children with RhCh (mean age, 10.9 years) and 40 healthy controls were tested. An indirect-immunofluorescence technique was used for the detection of ANeurA. ANeurA were present in the sera of 100, 93, and 44% of the patients with acute, chronic, and past histories of RhCh, respectively. A definition of chronic chorea is presented for the first time. None of the control subjects had ANeurA in their sera. The presence of ANeurA correlated with disease activity. A statistically significant increase (P < 0.01) in the prevalence of ANeurA was found for patients with active chorea (acute and chronic) compared with the prevalence in patients with past histories of RhCh (controlled chorea). ANeurA were present in the sera of both patients with acute RhCh and patients with chronic RhCh, yet patients with acute RhCh showed more brightness and cell staining than chronic patients. The severity, number, and duration of each attack were not related to the presence of ANeurA. These results strengthen further the concept of autoimmunity being the basis for the pathogenesis of RhCh. The presence of ANeurA correlated with the activity of RhCh but not with the severity, number, or duration of attacks. Humoral immunity definitely plays a role in RhCh; thus, routine administration of corticosteroids to patients with acute RhCh is suggested to prevent neuron damage and chronicity. The chronicity of chorea is not due to a further increase in ANeurA but is probably due to sensitivity to these antibodies.

Antineuronal antibodies: tics and obsessive-compulsive symptoms

Fluorescent serum antibody determinations were used to examine whether children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or less pervasive obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) would show evidence of caudate nucleus involvement. Recent studies of OCD have documented smaller caudate nucleus volumes in adults with childhood onset than in normal controls, but not smaller putamen volumes. Thirty-eight cases were recruited from an ongoing study of childhood neurodevelopmental disorders. Nineteen samples from clinical cases had existing or previously documented OCS and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with or without concomitant tics. Nineteen additional clinical controls with ADHD, but without tics or OCS, were identified. The sera from clinical cases showed antibodies directed against caudate [odds ratio (OR) 2.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0 to 4.1], putamen (OR 3.0; 95% CI 1.5 to 5.8), or both (OR 2.9; 95% CI 1.58 to 5.7) at a rate significantly higher than that of clinical controls, providing evidence of basal ganglia involvement in OCS. These preliminary data do not support a differential effect against caudate compared to putamen for these children, but suggest a more generalized central nervous system response.

Amyotrophic choreo-acanthocytosis: a neuropathological and immunocytochemical study

A 47 year old man, one of a sibship affected by amyotrophic choreo-acanthocytosis was studied neuropathologically after some years of clinical observation. Besides the classic optical findings (neuronal loss, astrocytic gliosis and "status spongiosus" in the basal ganglia, namely in the caudate nucleus) a few MEnk+ and NPY+ neurons were observed immunocytochemically in the striatum. In the spinal cord also, while no neuronal loss was perceivable, both mild demyelination and interfibrillary astrocytic hyperplasia of the long tracts were present. On the other hand, microscopic findings of muscle and peripheral nerve showed no differences from what was previously intra-vitam appreciated in the same patient. The neuropathological and immunocytochemical findings of this case are discussed in relation to the differential diagnosis between amyotrophic choreo-acanthocytosis and Huntington's disease.

Ovalbumin is more immunogenic when introduced into brain or cerebrospinal fluid than into extracerebral sites

The magnitudes of serum antibody responses to ovalbumin have been compared following immunization via cerebral or extracerebral sites in Sprague-Dawley rats. In central nervous system (CNS)-immunized rats, conditions were designed to ensure normal brain barrier permeability. Extracerebral immunization was via the footpad or along pathways of antigen outflow from the CNS. The relative immunogenicity of different injection sites is: CSF greater than brain tissue greater than extracerebral sites. Enhancement of the antibody response to CNS-administered antigen appears to depend on events initiated within the CNS, since ovalbumin injected into blood (which reaches the spleen) or nasal submucosa (which drains to cervical nodes) fails to elicit a similar response.

Cellular basis for interactions between catecholaminergic afferents and neurons containing leu-enkephalin-like immunoreactivity in rat caudate-putamen nuclei

Dopaminergic afferents to the dorsal striatum, caudate-putamen nuclei, are known to modulate the levels and synthesis of endogenous opiate peptides (Leu5 and Met5-enkephalins). We examined the dual immunocytochemical localization of antisera raised against Leu5-enkephalin and the catecholamine-synthesizing enzyme, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), to determine the cellular substrates for these and/or other functional interactions. The antisera were identified by combined immunogold-silver and immunoperoxidase labeling in single coronal sections through the caudate-putamen nuclei of adult rats. These animals were given intraventricular injections of colchicine, and the brains were fixed by acrolein perfusion prior to immunocytochemical labeling. By light microscopy, perikarya and processes containing enkephalin-like immunoreactivity (ELI) were seen in close proximity to varicose processes immunoreactive for TH. Electron microscopy further demonstrated that the ELI was localized to perikarya, dendrites, and axon terminals, whereas the TH was exclusively in axons and terminals. The dendrites containing ELI were postsynaptic to terminals that were either (1) without detectable immunoreactivity, or (2) immunoreactive for TH or enkephalin. Nonsynaptic portions of the dendrites containing ELI were covered with astrocytic processes or were in direct apposition to unlabeled dendrites. Terminals containing ELI were densely immunoreactive and were in direct contact with (1) unlabeled and occasionally enkephalin-labeled proximal dendrites, and (2) TH-labeled and unlabeled terminals. In comparison with the opiate terminals, most catecholaminergic terminals were lightly immunoreactive for TH and usually contacted more distal unlabeled dendrites or spines and, more rarely, dendrites containing ELI. In a few favorable planes of section, the terminals containing ELI and those containing TH (1) converged on common unlabeled dendrites, or (2) formed dual contacts on two different labeled or unlabeled targets. Junctions formed by terminals containing ELI and TH were sometimes characterized by symmetric synaptic densities. However, numerous other dendritic and all axonal appositions were without recognized membrane densities. The findings of the study provide anatomical substrates for multilevel interactions between catecholamines, mostly dopamine, and enkephalin in rat dorsal striatum. These include (1) monosynaptic input from dopaminergic terminals to neurons containing enkephalin, (2) presynaptic modulation of transmitter release through axonal appositions, and (3) dual regulation of common targets through convergent input. In addition, the findings suggest that both enkephalin and dopamine may have similar modulatory roles in synchronizing the activity of dual targets postsynaptic to individual axon terminals. Alterations in any one of these multiple types of interactions could account for noted motor or sensory symptoms in neurological disorders characterized by depletion of dopamine or endogenous opiate peptides, or both.

Ultrastructure of aberrant serotonin-immunoreactive fibers in the caudate putamen complex of the aged rat

Degeneration of neurons in the central nervous system is associated with morphological changes. Previous observations made at the light microscopical level indicated degeneration of serotonin-immunoreactive (IR) fibers in the aged rat brain. In this study, a comparison at the ultrastructural level was made between serotonin-IR normal thin and aberrant swollen varicose fibers in the caudate-putamen complex of the aged rat. Ultrastructural features such as the size and content of the thin varicose fibers resembled those in the caudate-putamen complex of the young rat as reported by others. The aberrant profiles were swollen, reaching a size of 6 microns. Their vesicles varied in size and were no longer uniformly round. Moreover, distorted mitochondria and membrane-filled vacuolelike structures were a common feature of the aberrant profiles. These changes are indicative of a degenerative process and give further evidence that, whereas many serotonergic fibers are preserved at high age, other serotonergic fibers are degenerating in the caudate-putamen complex of the aged rat.

Neuronotoxic effects of monoclonal anti-Thy 1 antibody (OX7) coupled to the ribosome inactivating protein, saporin, as studied by suicide transport experiments in the rat

As a first attempt to develop suicide transport agents based upon antineuronal antibodies, we studied an immunotoxin directed against the Thy 1 antigen which is on rat neurons. The immunotoxin was composed of mouse monoclonal anti-Thy 1 antibody (OX7) and the ribosome-inactivating protein, saporin, and was prepared using the heterobifunctional cross linker, SPDP, which provides a disulfide linkage between the two protein components. This immunotoxin reliably and selectively destroyed ipsilateral vagal motor and sensory neurons after injection into the cervical vagus. Injection of the immunotoxin into the caudate nucleus produced destruction of the ipsilateral substantia nigra, pars compacta and intralaminar thalamic nuclei (parafascicular and central median). Anti-mouse IgG immunoperoxidase staining confirmed axonal transport of OX7 by vagal sensory and motor neurons and by caudate afferents and efferents. Systemic toxicity was not observed with OX7-saporin. The neuronotoxic effects of OX7-saporin were specific since injections of a similarly constructed immunotoxin of irrelevant specificity or a mixture of OX7 and saporin were without suicide transport activity. These results show the feasibility of using immunotoxins as suicide transport agents.

A population of very small striatal neurons in the cat displays vasoactive intestinal polypeptide immunoreactivity

Cells displaying vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) immunoreactivity were demonstrated in the feline striatum using a monoclonal antibody raised against natural porcine VIP. The VIP-immunoreactive neurons in the cat striatum were very small, (8 microns diameter) bipolar and multipolar cells. The VIP-positive neurons were more numerous than the cholinergic neurons but less common than the somatostatin-immunoreactive cells in the cat caudate-putamen. The VIP-immunoreactive cells were localized predominantly in the striatal matrix and tended to avoid enkephalin-immunoreactive patches. Thus VIP-immunoreactive cells comprise another neurochemically defined neuronal population which appears to observe striosomal organization.

Regional and subcellular distribution of Thy-1 in human brain assayed by a solid-phase radioimmunoassay

A solid-phase radioimmunoassay, specific for the monomeric form of human Thy-1, was developed and used for quantitation of the Thy-1 antigen in human brain tissue. Determination of Thy-1 in homogenates of 12 anatomically defined brain regions showed that Thy-1 is present throughout the human brain. However, significant variation was found in the expression of the glycoprotein in different regions. Thy-1 appears to be generally enriched within gray matter: caudate nucleus, cerebral cortex, and putamen were found to contain the highest Thy-1 concentration (approximately 2.5 micrograms Thy-1/mg protein). Interestingly, the cerebellar cortex contained only 25% of the Thy-1 concentration of cerebral gray matter. Cerebral subcortical white matter contained half the amount of Thy-1 compared to cerebral cortex. Determination of Thy-1 in subcellular fractions prepared from human brain biopsy tissue indicated that the highest relative concentration of Thy-1 is associated with synaptosomal membranes and myelin/axonal membrane fractions.

Dopamine and cholecystokinin immunoreactive neurons in mesencephalic grafts reinnervating the neostriatum: evidence for selective growth regulation

Pieces of embryonic mesencephalic tissue rich in dopamine and cholecystokinin immunoreactive neurones were grafted to the dorsal surface of the caudate-putamen of adult host rats subjected to unilateral dopamine depleting lesions. After 3 months, neuronal survival in the graft and fibre outgrowth into the host brain were studied by tyrosine hydroxylase and cholecystokinin immunohistochemistry, both in serial sections and by elution and restaining of the same sections. Both dopamine- and cholecystokinin-containing neurones as well as neurons containing both compounds survived the transplantation process. The ratio of neurones in which dopamine and cholecystokinin-like immunoreactivity occurred independently and in coexistence was similar in the grafts to that seen in the intact ventral mesencephalon. This suggests that the grafted cells maintain and express at least some of their normal chemical characteristics in the ectopic cortical location. Only those fibres which contained tyrosine hydroxylase but apparently lacked the cholecystokinin-like peptide showed extensive reinnervation of the host neostriatum. The cholecystokinin-positive fibres were found in a narrow zone immediately adjoining the graft. These results indicate that the dopaminergic reinnervation of the denervated neostriatum is preferentially carried out by the population of grafted mesencephalic dopamine neurones apparently lacking the cholecystokinin-like peptide. This suggests the presence of growth regulating mechanisms in the denervated neostriatum which selectively favour the ingrowth of fibres from the appropriate dopaminergic neuronal subset. The transplantation technique may therefore provide a powerful tool for the study of neurone-target interactions in the establishment of neuronal connections, and of the possible role of peptidergic coexistence in the development and organization of monoaminergic pathways and their innervation patterns.

Different localizations of Met-enkephalin-like immunoreactivity in rat forebrain and spinal cord using hydrogen peroxide and Triton X-100. Light microscopic study

The histological distribution of met-enkephalin-like immunoreactivity was studied in the forebrain (particularly the striatum) and the spinal cord of the rat using the indirect peroxidase-labelled antibody method. In most experiments, vibratome sections of formaldehyde-fixed tissues and purified antibodies were used. The search for optimal conditions for the immunohistochemical reaction lead us to establish that met-enkephalin-containing perikarya of both untreated and colchicinized animals were better demonstrated when tissue were pre-treated with diluted hydrogen peroxide only. The additional treatment of these sections with Triton X-100 (or some other detergents) resulted in the near disappearance of the perikaryal immunoreactivity; on the contrary, numerous met-enkephalin containing nerve fibres and varicosities were then demonstrated in the same region. Using only the hydrogen peroxide treatment, we found numerous met-enkephalin-containing perikarya in the medial and ventral regions of the neostriatum. This distribution was prolonged caudally by the existence of a prominent group of stained somata in the ventral putamen-central nucleus of the amygdala. When intraventricular injections of colchicine were used, positive perikarya were more numerous within the striatum (the globus pallidus excepted) but their distribution was largely the same as in non injected animals. However, some new groups of somata were stained in this case in the forebrain (in the lateral septum, the olfactory tubercle and the hypothalamus particularly). In control animals only few met-enkephalin-containing perikarya were observed in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord when H2O2 pretreatment was used alone and they were numerous only when intraspinal injections of colchicine were performed. Met-enkephalin-containing fibres and varicosities, which were scattered in the whole neostriatum in the conditions used above, became very numerous when the tissue sections were incubated in the presence of Triton X-100. Their density increased markedly from the latero-dorsal to the medio-ventral regions but, in addition, an organization under the form of islands of stronger immunoreactivity was also evidenced. These islands were more numerous ventrally in the anterior neostriatum and in the central region of the "putamen." The dense plexus of immunoreactive nerve fibers forming "tube-like structures" which was always observed in the paleostriatum and in the cranial medial forebrain bundle (islands of Calleja) appeared more diffuse when detergents were used.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Cross-species and intraspecies reactivities of monoclonal antibodies against choline acetyltransferase

We have previously reported the first successful production of monoclonal antibodies against the cholinergic neuronal marker, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). We now report some inter-and intraspecies cross-reactivity studies of the monoclonal antibody AB1. This antibody reacted most strongly with bovine ChAT and weakly with sheep and human enzyme. Similar amounts of binding were observed with the two forms of bovine ChAT separated by ion exchange chromatography. The antibody also reacted equally well with human ChAT derived from either brain or placenta.

Autoantibodies against neurofilaments in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: immunofluorescence in sections of human caudate nucleus

Heterospecific autoantibodies to axonal neurofilaments of neurons in sera from five patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease were detected with the use of cryostat section from normal human brain caudate nucleus. The antibody, visualized by the indirect immunofluorescence technique, was shown to bind complement. This allowed to achieve brighter staining either by the anticomplementary method alone or by a combination of both anti-C3 and anti-IgG conjugates

Monoclonal antibodies to tyrosine hydroxylase: production and characterization

Monoclonal antibodies were produced against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the enzyme catalyzing the rate limiting step in catecholamine neurotransmitter synthesis. An enzyme linked immunosorbant assay was used to detect the presence of specific antibody in culture. Specificity of the antibodies is characterized. These monospecific antibodies were used for immunoprecipitation and immunohistochemical staining of TH in brain.

[Reactions between 3H-monoacetylcobratoxin and membrane preparations from denervated muscles and caudate nuclei]

3H-monoacetyl derivative of the major neurotoxin of venom obtained from Naja naja oxiana was used as a marker of the nicotinic cholinoreceptor (N-ChR). It was shown that binding of neurotoxin with the membranes of bovine caudate nuclei unlike binding with the membranes of the rabbit gastrocnemius muscles is less strong and cannot be blocked completely with high concentrations of neurotoxin and d-tubocurarine. Serum of the rabbits immmunized with the protein preparation isolated from the membranes of caudate nuclei inhibited the binding of the marker by the membranes of caudate nuclei to a greater measure than by muscle membranes. It is concluded that the marker in question can be used for detecting N-ChR in caudate nuclei and that this cholinoreceptor differs from that of muscles.

An antineuronal antibody cross-reacting with erythrocytes and lymphocytes in systemic lupus erythematosus

An antibody with erythrocyte and lymphocyte activity, present in the sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), demonstrated additional reactivity with neurons. The neuronal reactivity was greater with cortical neurons than with cerebellar and caudate nucleus neurons, was predominantly IgG, and was immunologically specific. Selected sera from 22 patients with active SLE were tested for the presence of antineuronal antibody. Eleven of 12 sera obtained from patients with neuropsychiatric disease demonstrated definite neuron reactivity, in contrast to only 2 of 10 sera obtained from patients without evidence of neuropsychiatric involvement (P less than 0.005). Five of 21 sera from patients with rheumatoid arthritis, but no sera from 5 other disease control groups, contained antineuronal antibody. Serial studies of 2 SLE patients with transient psychotic episodes demonstrated a close association between antibody titer and the appearance of psychosis in one. These observations suggest that the detection of antineuronal antibodies in patients with SLE may be of value in the diagnosis and management of neuropsychiatric complications.

[Autoimmune response following administration of a protein preparation from the caudate nuclei of cattle brains to rabbits]

Plasma membranes of bovine caudate nuclei were solubilized by means of Triton X-100. Detergent-extracted membrane proteins were separated by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and the affinity adsorbent proposed for the isolation of nicotinic cholinergic receptor protein (N-ChR) from Torpedo electrical organ. Half of the rabbits immunized with purified protein preparation developed a syndrome of myasthenia type. This effect resembled the autoimmune response to N-ChR from fish electrical organs. It is assumed that the N-ChR present in the caudate nucleus has antigen determinants similar to N-ChRs of the electrical organs and skeletal muscles.

Antibodies to human caudate nucleus neurons in Huntington's chorea

Antibodies reacting with neuronal cytoplasmic antigens present in normal human caudate and subthalamic nuclei were detected in 37 of 80 probands afflicted with Huntington's disease (HD). IgG antibodies were detected by immunofluorescence using frozen sections of unfixed normal human and rat brain. Specificity of IgG binding was confirmed using pepsin F(ab')2 fragments of IgG isolated from positive sera. In vitro complement fixation of IgG antibody was detected in 22 of 31 sera tested. Neuronal cytoplasmic antigens reacting with positive HD sera were diminished after trypsin or RNAase treatment of tissue sections but were not removed by DNAase, neuraminidase, EDTA, or dithiothreitol treatment. Antibody staining of neurons could be removed after absorption with isolated caudate nucleus neurons or by using perchloroacetic acid extracts of caudate nucleus. Prevalence of antibody reacting with neuronal cytoplasm was 3% in 60 normal controls and 6% among a wide variety of patients with diverse neurological disorders. However, one-third of 33 patients with Parkinson's disease showed presence of antineuronal antibody. Among patients with HD, a significant association was noted between duration of clinical disease greater than 7 yr and titers of antibody of 1:2 or greater (P less than 0.001). When 115 family members of HD probands were tested, 30% of unaffected spouses showed presence of antineuronal antibody. 23.2% of first-degree relatives at risk for developing HD was also positive (P less than 0.001). 10.5% of second-degree relatives showed presence of antineuronal antibody. These data may support an environmental or infectious factor somehow involved in the ultimate expression of HD.

Antibodies reacting with cytoplasm of subthalamic and caudate nuclei neurons in chorea and acute rheumatic fever

46% of sera from 30 children with rheumatic chorea showed IgG antibody reacting with neuronal cytoplasm of human caudate and subthalamic nuclei. The antibody was also detected in 14% of 50 children with active rheumatic carditis. 55 normal control sera, as well as 148 sera from a broad variety of other disease states showed a low prevalence (1.8-4.0%) of positive reactions. In rheumatic chorea the presence of anti-neuronal antibody appeared to correlate with severity and duration of clinical attacks. Antibody reacting with neuronal cytoplasm was completely removed by absorption with Group A streptococcal membranes or with isolated human neurons from caudate nucleus. Partial absorption of antibody was also recorded using Group A cell wall preparations but not with Group A carbohydrate. No absorption of positive reactions was seen with streptococcal Group D membranes or cell walls. In rheumatic chorea, anti-neuronal antibody appeared to represent cross-reaction with antigens shared by Group A streptococcal membranes.