title: Expression of MHC class I and beta2-microglobulin in rat spinal motoneurons: regulatory influences by IFN-gamma and axotomy.
abstract: The low expression of MHC antigens is believed to be one factor of importance contributing to the immune-privileged status of CNS neurons. We here describe that motoneurons, in contrast to other nerve cells in the lumbar spinal cord of the adult rat, express both MHC class I and beta2-microglobulin mRNA. The motoneurons also display in situ hybridization signal for IFN-gamma receptor mRNA. After a peripheral axotomy, the motoneurons show a clear upregulation of beta2-microglobulin mRNA. IFN-gamma treatment of cultured rat embryonic spinal motoneurons causes a similar upregulation of especially beta2-microglobulin. Based on these facts, we propose that spinal motoneurons can be influenced by IFN-gamma and recognized by cytotoxic CD8+ T-cells. These findings could be of relevance in the search for pathogenetic mechanisms in motoneuron-specific diseases, such as ALS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Huddinge Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lindå
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hammarberg
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cullheim
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Levinovitz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khademi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Olsson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019771:Axotomy; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D005805:Genes, MHC Class I; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017471:Receptors, Interferon / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000096743:Interferon gamma Receptor
chemical_list: D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017471:Receptors, Interferon; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D000096743:Interferon gamma Receptor