Role of the striatum in the humoral immune response to thymus-independent and thymus-dependent antigens in rats.

Since the role of striatal GABAergic medium-sized spiny (MSP) neurons in the modulation of the immune responses is largely unknown, we evaluated the humoral immune response in rats with bilateral lesion of the striatum caused by quinolinic acid, which destroys MSP neurons. Sham-operated rats and those with striatal lesions were immunized either with TNP-LPS, a T-independent antigen type 1, or one of several T-dependent antigens: ovoalbumin, bovine serum albumin, lysozyme, sheep red blood cells (SRBC) or outer membrane proteins (OMP) of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. The specific levels of serum IgM and IgG, as well as intestinal IgA antibodies were determined either by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or a haemagglutination assay 5 or 7 days after immunization.

(+)-(S)-trujillon, (+)-(S)-4-(2,2-diphenyl-1,3,2-oxazabolidin-5-oxo)propionic acid, a novel glutamatergic analog, modifies the activity of globus pallidus neurons by selective NMDA receptor activation.

Decreased levels of glutamate and changes in several markers of glutamatergic function occur in movement disorders and chronic psychiatric illnesses. Ionotropic glutamate receptors have been implicated in neuronal cell death, and have, therefore, been related to the process of neurodegenerative diseases. Drugs that interact with the glutamatergic system are important tools for the development of better therapies.