Expression of AMPA and NMDA receptor subunits in the cervical spinal cord of wobbler mice

BACKGROUND: The localisation of AMPA and NMDA receptor subunits was studied in a model of degeneration of cervical spinal motoneurons, the wobbler mouse. Cervical regions from early or late symptomatic wobbler mice (4 or 12 weeks of age) were compared to lumbar tracts (unaffected) and to those of healthy mice. RESULTS: No differences were found in the distribution of AMPA and NMDA receptor subunits at both ages. Western blots analysis showed a trend of reduction in AMPA and NMDA receptor subunits, mainly GluR1 and NR2A, exclusively in the cervical region of late symptomatic mice in the triton-insoluble post-synaptic fraction but not whole homogenates. Colocalisation experiments evidenced the expression of GluR1 and NR2A receptors in activated astrocytes from the cervical spinal cord of wobbler mice, GluR2 did not colocalise with GFAP positive cells. No differences were found in the expression of AMPA and NMDA receptor subunits in the lumbar tract of wobbler mice, where neither motoneuron loss nor reactive gliosis occurs. CONCLUSION: In late symptomatic wobbler mice altered levels of GluR1 and NR2A receptor subunits may be a consequence of motoneuron loss rather than an early feature of motoneuron vulnerability

IgG4-related kidney diseases and conditions: Renal pelvic and ureteral diseases

In the literature on IgG4-related urinary tract diseases, reports of cases with involvement of the renal pelvis and ureters are increasing. IgG4-related renal pelvic and ureteral lesions accompany extra-renal organ involvement, including IgG4-related type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis, sialadenitis, and orbital disease, and are characterized by the common pathological features of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), including substantial numbers of IgG4-positive plasma cells, storiform fibrosis, and stenosis in the affected organs. Similar to other mucosal organs affected in IgG4-RD, these inflammatory findings are observed within the fibroadipose tissue in the renal hilum and around the ureters. The urothelial epithelium covering the renal pelvis and ureter is preserved. Nodular lesions such as pseudotumors can also form and it is important to differentiate these from malignant tumors. At present, comprehensive diagnostic criteria that include pathological parameters have been proposed for IgG4-RD; however, obtaining diagnostic findings in small biopsy specimens is often challenging. Therefore, the diagnosis can only be rendered following careful consideration of the patient’s clinical, serologic, radiologic, and pathologic features, including the possibility of involvement in other organs. © Springer Japan 2016.[Book Chapter