Study results from University of Alcala provide new insights into encephalomyelitis immunology
2007 NOV 19 -- Researchers detail in 'Alteration of the somatostatinergic system in the striatum of rats with acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis,' new data in encephalomyelitis. "To date, the neurochemical basis underlying the motor and cognitive deficits described in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is unclear. Since the neuropeptide somatostatin (SRIF) and the striatum have been implicated in movement control and implicit memory, the aim of this study was to analyze the striatal somatostatinergic system in an animal model of MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)," scientists writing in the journal Neuroscience report. "Female Lewis rats were immunized with an emulsion containing myelin basic protein (MBP) in complete Freund's adjuvant to induce the disease. The animals were decapitated when limp tail (grade 1) or severe hind limb paralysis (grade 3) was observed. Acute EAE in grade 3 did not modify striatal somatostatin-like immunoreactivity (SRIF-LI) content but decreased the overall SRIF receptor density, without affecting the apparent affinity, in the rat striatal membranes. A selective reduction in the protein levels of the SRIF receptor subtype sst2, analyzed by Western blotting, was detected in the EAE rats, which correlated with decreased sst2 mRNA levels. The expression of the receptor subtypes sst1, sst3 or sst4 was unaltered by the disease. The decrease in the SRIF receptor density was accompanied by an attenuated capacity of SRIF to inhibit both basal and forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity. No significant changes, however, were found in the protein levels of Gi proteins (G(ialpha1), G(ialpha2) or G(ialpha3)) nor in those of the G-protein-coupled receptor kinase subtypes GRK2, GRK5 or GRK6," wrote D. Aguado-Llera and colleagues, University of Alcala. The researchers concluded: "Acute EAE in grade 1 did not modify any of the parameters studiedthese data demonstrate that acute EAE, in grade 3, disrupts the rat striatal SRIF receptor-effector system. These findings provide new insight into the molecular basis of EAE which might contribute to a better understanding of multiple sclerosis in humans." Aguado-Llera and colleagues published their study in Neuroscience (Alteration of the somatostatinergic system in the striatum of rats with acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Neuroscience, 2007;148(1):238-49). Additional information can be obtained by contacting D. Aguado-Llera, Grupo de Neurobioquimica, Departamento de Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Centera Madrid-Barcelona km 336, Universidad de Alcala, E-28871 Alcala de Henares, Madrid, Spain. The publisher of the journal Neuroscience can be contacted at: Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd., the Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England. Keywords: Spain, Alcala de Henares, Encephalomyelitis Immunology, Autoimmune Disease, Autoimmune Disorder, Central Nervous System Disease, Encephalomyelitis, Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis, Immunology, Neuroscience. This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.
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