MHV also replicated to higher titers and exhibited a more broad tissue tropism in these mice, which lack a type I

IFN response. Interestingly, MHV induced IFN-beta in the brains and livers, two main targets of MHV replication, of infected wild-type mice. MHV infection of primary cell cultures indicates that hepatocytes are not responsible for the IFN-beta production in the liver during MHV infection. Furthermore, macrophages and microglia, but not neurons or astrocytes, are responsible for IFN-beta production in the brain. To determine the pathway by which MHV is recognized in macrophages, Selleck Cisplatin IFN-beta mRNA expression was quantified following MHV infection of a panel of primary bone marrow-derived macrophages generated from mice lacking different pattern recognition receptors ( PRRs). Interestingly, MDA5, a PRR thought to recognize primarily picornaviruses, was required for recognition of MHV. Thus,

MHV induces type I IFN in macrophages and microglia in the brains of infected animals and is recognized by an MDA5-dependent pathway in macrophages. These findings suggest that secretion of IFN-beta by macrophages and microglia plays a role in protecting the host from MHV infection of the central nervous system.”
“Individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS) are cognitively impaired and have marked H 89 in vivo speech delays and deficits. Our goal was to characterize expression of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), encoded by Fmrl fragile X mental retardation 1 gene or transcript (FMR1), in an animal model that learns to vocalize, namely the zebra finch Taeniopygia guttata (Tgu). We

cloned and sequenced the zebra finch ortholog of FMR1 (TguFmr1) and developed an antibody that recognizes TguFmrp specifically. TguFmrp has structural features similar to its human ortholog FMRP. Because FXS patients exhibit sensorimotor deficits, we examined TguFmrp expression prior to, during, and after sensorimotor song learning in zebra finches. We found that TguFmrp is expressed throughout the brain and in four major song nuclei of the male zebra finch brain, primarily in neurons. WH-4-023 mouse Additionally, prior to sensorimotor learning, we observed elevated TguFmrp expression in the robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA) of post-hatch day 30 males, compared with the surrounding telencephalon, suggesting a preparation for this stage of song learning. Finally, we observed variable TguFmrp expression in the RA of adolescent and adult males: in some males it was elevated and in others it was comparable to the surrounding telencephalon. In summary, we have characterized the zebra finch ortholog of FMRP and found elevated levels in the premotor nucleus RA at a key developmental stage for vocal learning. (C) 2008 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.