Dendritic spikes and their inhibition in alligator Purkinje cells

Alligator Purkinje cells generate action potentials in the peripheral dendritic tree, after synaptic depolarization via superficial parallel fibers. These action potentials are inhibited at the dendrite level by preceding parallel-fiber volleys at close intervals. We conclude that this inhibition is produced by the activation of the inhibitory interneurons of the molecular layer, the stellate cells, which establish synaptic contacts with the dendrites of the Purkinje cells.     

Intracellular impulse conduction in muscle cells

A hypothesis, suggested previously by morphological studies, for impulse conduction from the sarcolemma to the contractile material via the sarcoplasmic reticulum is discussed. The relation of reticulum morphology and cell size to speed of contraction in smooth and striated muscle agrees with the hypothesis and thus supports it. Additional support comes from evidence concerning an unusual morphological relationship between the sarcolemma and contractile fibrils in striated muscle of amphioxus.     

Spatially resolved calcium dynamics of mammalian Purkinje cells in cerebellar slice

Microfluorometric imaging was used to study the correlation of intracellular calcium concentration with voltage-dependent electrical activity in guinea pig cerebellar Purkinje cells. The spatiotemporal dynamics of intracellular calcium concentration are demonstrated during spontaneous and evoked activity. The results are in agreement with hypotheses of dendritic segregation of calcium conductances suggested by electrophysiological experiments. These in vitro slice fluorescence imaging methods are applicable to a wide range of problems in central nervous system biochemical and electrophysiological functions.     

Dynamic organization of developing Purkinje cells revealed by transgene expression

The cerebellum has many properties that make it a useful model for investigating neural development. Purkinje cells, the major output neurons of the cerebellar cortex, have drawn special attention because of the availability of biochemical markers and mutants that affect their development. The spatial expression of L7, a protein specific for Purkinje cells, and L7 beta Gal, a gene expressed in transgenic mice that was constructed from the L7 promoter and the marker beta-galactosidase, delineated bands of Purkinje cells that increased in number during early postnatal development. Expression of the transgene in adult reeler mutant mice, which show inverted cortical lamination, and in primary culture showed that the initial expression of L7 is intrinsic to Purkinje cells and does not depend on extracellular signals. This may reflect an underlying developmental map in cerebellum.     

Frog cerebellum: absence of long-term inhibition upon Purkinje cells

Electrophysiological studies of the cerebellar cortex of the frog demonstrate a lack of long-term inhibition upon the Purkinje cells. This lack of inhibition correlates well with the absence of stellate and basket cells in the molecular layer of this cerebellum and strongly supports the idea that these interneurones are the agents responsible for the prolonged inhibition seen in the Purkinje cells of other species.     

Electrotonic spread of dendritic potentials in feline pyramidal cells

In pyramidal cells synaptic activation of the entire apical dendritic tree distal to the branch point of the major shaft can dominate the neuronal firing pattern. Uniform synaptic activation of distant parts of the dendritic tree (~ 750 microns from the soma) would produce potential changes at the soma of 2 to 3 percent of the magnitude of the dendritic potential changes. Even these small somatic potential changes could modulate the frequency of firing of neurons depolarized close to or above firing level by more proximal synaptic inputs.     

Generation of gut-homing IgA-secreting B cells by intestinal dendritic cells

Normal intestinal mucosa contains abundant immunoglobulin A (IgA)-secreting cells, which are generated from B cells in gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT). We show that dendritic cells (DC) from GALT induce T cell-independent expression of IgA and gut-homing receptors on B cells. GALT-DC-derived retinoic acid (RA) alone conferred gut tropism but could not promote IgA secretion. However, RA potently synergized with GALT-DC-derived interleukin-6 (IL-6) or IL-5 to induce IgA secretion. Consequently, mice deficient in the RA precursor vitamin A lacked IgA-secreting cells in the small intestine. Thus, GALT-DC shape mucosal immunity by modulating B cell migration and effector activity through synergistically acting mediators.     

Transport of peptide-MHC class II complexes in developing dendritic cells

Major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) molecules capture peptides within the endocytic pathway to generate T cell receptor (TCR) ligands. Immature dendritic cells (DCs) sequester intact antigens in lysosomes, processing and converting antigens into peptide-MHC II complexes upon induction of DC maturation. The complexes then accumulate in distinctive, nonlysosomal MHC II+ vesicles that appear to migrate to the cell surface. Although the vesicles exclude soluble lysosomal contents and antigen-processing machinery, many contain MHC I and B7 costimulatory molecules. After arrival at the cell surface, the MHC and costimulatory molecules remain clustered. Thus, transport of peptide-MHC II complexes by DCs not only accomplishes transfer from late endocytic compartments to the plasma membrane, but does so in a manner that selectively concentrates TCR ligands and costimulatory molecules for T cell contact.     

Extrafollicular activation of lymph node B cells by antigen-bearing dendritic cells

In contrast to na?ve T cells that recognize short antigen-derived peptides displayed by specialized antigen-presenting cells, immunoglobulin receptors of B lymphocytes primarily recognize intact proteins. How and where within a lymph node such unprocessed antigens become available for na?ve B cell recognition is not clear. We used two-photon intravital imaging to show that, after exiting high-endothelial venules and before entry into lymph node follicles, B cells survey locally concentrated dendritic cells. Engagement of the B cell receptor by the dendritic cell (DC)-associated antigen leads to lymphocyte calcium signaling, migration arrest, antigen acquisition, and extrafollicular accumulation. These findings suggest a possible role for antigen-specific B-DC interactions in promoting T cell-dependent antibody responses in vivo.     

鸡骨髓源树突状细胞体外诱导培养及鉴定

为建立鸡骨髓源树突状细胞(DC,dendritic cells)体外培养方法,用重组鸡粒细胞-巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(rGM-CSF)和重组鸡白细胞介素4(rIL-4)体外诱导鸡骨髓细胞分化为DC,然后通过形态观察、表型鉴定及功能分析来初步鉴定所培养的DC。试验结果表明:培养7 d后,光学显微镜下观察到细胞表面不规则,有显著的树突状突起,呈典型的DC形态,流式细胞仪测得细胞表面CD11c和MHCⅡ分子的表达量分别为69.3%和63.0%。经脂多糖或CpG-ODN刺激24 h后的DC,其表面成熟分子标志CD40和CD86上调表达,同时其刺激同种异体T细胞增殖的能力显著增强(P<0.01)。结论:本试验建立的方法能在体外制备出大量具有较高纯度的鸡骨髓源DC,并具有体内DC的生物学特征。     

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate and norepinephrine: effects on transmembrane properties of cerebellar Purkinje cells

Electrical properties of Purkinje cells were recorded by intracellular microelectrode during extracellular electrophoretic application of gamma aminobutyrate, norepinephrine, cyclic adenosine monophosphate, and dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate. All these substances hyperpolarized Purkinje cells. Transmembrane resistance decreased during gamma aminobutyrate hyperpolarization. In contrast, norepinephrine and the cyclic nucleotides generally elevated resistance. These results show that cyclic nucleotides mimic the unique effects of norepinephrine on the bioelectric properties of neuronal membranes.     

Impaired prion replication in spleens of mice lacking functional follicular dendritic cells

In scrapie-infected mice, prions are found associated with splenic but not circulating B and T lymphocytes and in the stroma, which contains follicular dendritic cells (FDCs). Formation and maintenance of mature FDCs require the presence of B cells expressing membrane-bound lymphotoxin-alpha/beta. Treatment of mice with soluble lymphotoxin-beta receptor results in the disappearance of mature FDCs from the spleen. We show that this treatment abolishes splenic prion accumulation and retards neuroinvasion after intraperitoneal scrapie inoculation. These data provide evidence that FDCs are the principal sites for prion replication in the spleen.     

类风湿关节炎患者外周血单个核细胞诱导成熟树突状细胞TIM4表达

目的 探讨类风湿关节炎(RA)患者外周血单个核细胞体外诱导成树突状细胞(DC)TIM4表达.方法 分离15例RA患者和10例正常对照外周血单核细胞,加入重组人巨噬集落形成因子(rhMCSF)、重组人白介素-4(rhIL-4)培养6d,再加入肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)培养1d.采用流式细胞仪检测DC诱导分化情况,实时荧光定量PCR和Western blot检测TIM4表达.结果 RA患者外周血单核细胞诱导分化成DC数量多于对照组(P＜0.01),DC表达TIM4明显增加(P＜0.01).结论 DC表达TIM4上调可能参与RA发病.     

Potential regulatory function of human dendritic cells expressing indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase

Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) can induce tolerance or immunity. We describe a subset of human APCs that express indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and inhibit T cell proliferation in vitro. IDO-positive APCs constituted a discrete subset identified by coexpression of the cell-surface markers CD123 and CCR6. In the dendritic cell (DC) lineage, IDO-mediated suppressor activity was present in fully mature as well as immature CD123+ DCs. IDO+ DCs could also be readily detected in vivo, which suggests that these cells may represent a regulatory subset of APCs in humans.     

TLR11 activation of dendritic cells by a protozoan profilin-like protein

Mammalian Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in the innate recognition of pathogens by dendritic cells (DCs). Although TLRs are clearly involved in the detection of bacteria and viruses, relatively little is known about their function in the innate response to eukaryotic microorganisms. Here we identify a profilin-like molecule from the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii that generates a potent interleukin-12 (IL-12) response in murine DCs that is dependent on myeloid differentiation factor 88. T. gondii profilin activates DCs through TLR11 and is the first chemically defined ligand for this TLR. Moreover, TLR11 is required in vivo for parasite-induced IL-12 production and optimal resistance to infection, thereby establishing a role for the receptor in host recognition of protozoan pathogens.     

mGluR1 in cerebellar Purkinje cells essential for long-term depression, synapse elimination, and motor coordination

Targeted deletion of metabotropic glutamate receptor-subtype 1 (mGluR1) gene can cause defects in development and function in the cerebellum. We introduced the mGluR1alpha transgene into mGluR1-null mutant [mGluR1 (-/-)] mice with a Purkinje cell (PC)-specific promoter. mGluR1-rescue mice showed normal cerebellar long-term depression and regression of multiple climbing fiber innervation, events significantly impaired in mGluR1 (-/-) mice. The impaired motor coordination was rescued by this transgene, in a dose-dependent manner. We propose that mGluR1 in PCs is a key molecule for normal synapse formation, synaptic plasticity, and motor control in the cerebellum.     

Toll-like receptor 4-dependent activation of dendritic cells by beta-defensin 2

beta-Defensins are small antimicrobial peptides of the innate immune system produced in response to microbial infection of mucosal tissue and skin. We demonstrate that murine beta-defensin 2 (mDF2beta) acts directly on immature dendritic cells as an endogenous ligand for Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4), inducing up-regulation of costimulatory molecules and dendritic cell maturation. These events, in turn, trigger robust, type 1 polarized adaptive immune responses in vivo, suggesting that mDF2beta may play an important role in immunosurveillance against pathogens and, possibly, self antigens or tumor antigens.     

Induction of protective IgA by intestinal dendritic cells carrying commensal bacteria

The enormous number of commensal bacteria in the lower intestine of vertebrates share abundant molecular patterns used for innate immune recognition of pathogenic bacteria. We show that, even though commensals are rapidly killed by macrophages, intestinal dendritic cells (DCs) can retain small numbers of live commensals for several days. This allows DCs to selectively induce IgA, which helps protect against mucosal penetration by commensals. The commensal-loaded DCs are restricted to the mucosal immune compartment by the mesenteric lymph nodes, which ensures that immune responses to commensal bacteria are induced locally, without potentially damaging systemic immune responses.     

左旋咪唑刺激猪内皮细胞抑制单核源树突状细胞的抗原递呈功能

【目的】研究左旋咪唑(LMS)刺激的猪内皮细胞(VEC)对单核源树突状细胞(MoDC)的抗原递呈功能的影响。【方法】通过LMS刺激猪血管内皮细胞后,筛选出能够使内皮源IL-8表达量上调的低质量浓度LMS(10~(-6) mg/mL),将经LMS处理的内皮细胞与MoDC共培养,收集共培养的MoDC。流式细胞术检测MoDC的CD80/86和MHC-II的表达;丝裂霉素C处理后的MoDC与淋巴细胞混合,MTS法和流式细胞术分析MoDC抗原递呈和对淋巴细胞转化的影响。共培养分为诱导后共培养和诱导共培养。【结果】LMS处理VEC后,两种共培养方式所得MoDC的MHC-II与CD80/86阳性率、淋巴细胞刺激指数、Tc和Treg细胞阳性率均显著下调,而Th细胞阳性率和CD4~+/CD8~+比值显著上调。【结论】低浓度LMS处理的VEC可抑制MoDC的抗原递呈能力。