Effects of Abeta1-42 fibrils and of the tetrapeptide Pr-IIGL on the phosphorylation state of the tau-protein and on the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in vitro.

In order to investigate the possible links connecting beta-amyloid (Abeta) accumulation, tau-hyperphosphorylation and nicotinic receptor expression, rat embryonic primary hippocampal cultures were incubated with amyloidogenic peptides. Exposure to 0.5 microm fibrillar Abeta(1-42) for 3 days caused retraction of dendrites, shrinkage of cell bodies and a decrease in the expression of microtubule-associated proteins 2b (MAP2b), without affecting the total number of neurons and their viability.

Increased expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MCP-1, and MIP-1 alpha by spinal perivascular macrophages during experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in rats.

Background: T-cells extravasation and CNS parenchyma infiltration during autoimmune neurodegenerative disease can be evoked by local antigen presenting cells. Studying the chemoattracting potential of spinal perivascular macrophages (SPM) during experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), we observed numerous infiltrates of densely-packed mononuclear cells. Apart from the poor spatial and optical resolution, no differentiation between the resident SPM (mabs ED1+, ED2+) and the just recruited monocytes/macrophages (mab ED1+) was possible.