Human but not murine multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial effector function mediated by indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase.

Human multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) exhibit multilineage differentiation potential, support hematopoiesis, and inhibit proliferation and effector function of various immune cells. On the basis of these properties, MSC are currently under clinical investigation in a range of therapeutic applications including tissue repair and immune-mediated disorders such as graft-versus-host-disease refractory to pharmacological immunosuppression. Although initial clinical results appear promising, there are significant concerns that application of MSC might inadvertently suppress antimicrobial immunity with an increased risk of infection.

Neural modulation of visuomotor functions underlying prey-catching behaviour in anurans: perception, attention, motor performance, learning.

The present review points out that visuomotor functions in anurans are modifiable and provides neurophysiological data which suggest modulatory forebrain functions. The retino-tecto/tegmento-bulbar/spinal serial processing streams are sufficient for stimulus-response mediation in prey-catching behaviour. Without its modulatory connections to forebrain structures, however, these processing streams cannot manage perceptual tasks, directed attention, learning performances, and motor skills.

Forebrain and midbrain structures involved in prey-catching behaviour of toads: stimulus-response mediating circuits and their modulating loops.

In anurans, visual prey information is filtered in the retina and processed in interacting pretectal and tectal retinal projection fields. Neuropeptide Y is involved in pretecto-tectal inhibition. Information related to prey and its location in space is transmitted to the bulbar/spinal motor pattern generating systems by ensembles of efferent tectal and tegmental neurons.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) or fragment NPY 13-36, but not NPY 18-36, inhibit retinotectal transfer in cane toads Bufo marinus.

Previous work suggests that retinotectal information processing is influenced by pretectotectal ipsilateral projections. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) participates in the pretectotectal transmission. The present investigation demonstrates that administration of porcine NPY to the tectal surface causes a profound and prolonged attenuation of the initial excitatory N1 wave of the summated tectal surface field potential (FP) evoked by diffuse light off stimulation.