Neuronal plasticity and cellular immunity: shared molecular mechanisms.
It is becoming evident that neurons express an unusual number of molecules that were originally thought to be specific to immune functions. One such molecule, class I major histocompatibility complex, is required in the activity-dependent refinement and plasticity of connections in the developing and adult central nervous system, demonstrating that molecules can perform critical roles in both systems. Recent studies reveal striking parallels between cellular signaling mechanisms in the immune and nervous systems that may provide unexpected insights into the development, function, and diseases of both systems.
Boulanger
L M
LM
Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA. lisa_boulanger@hms.harvard.edu
Huh
G S
GS
Shatz
C J
CJ
D000818:Animals; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000276:immunology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I