Monoclonal Antibodies to Distinct Regions of Human Myelin Proteolipid Protein Simultaneously Recognize Central Nervous System Myelin and Neurons of Many Vertebrate Species

Myelin proteolipid protein (PLP), the major protein of mammalian CNS myelin, is a member of the proteolipid gene family (pgf). It is an evolutionarily conserved polytopic integral membrane protein and a potential autoantigen in multiple sclerosis (MS). To analyze antibody recognition of PLP epitopes in situ, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for different regions of human PLP (50–69, 100–123, 139–151, 178–191, 200–219, 264–276) were generated and used to immunostain CNS tissues of representative vertebrates. mAbs to each region recognized whole human PLP on Western blots; the anti-100–123 mAb did not recognize DM-20, the PLP isoform that lacks residues 116–150. All of the mAbs stained fixed, permeabilized oligodendrocytes and mammalian and avian CNS tissue myelin. Most of the mAbs also stained amphibian, teleost, and elasmobranch CNS myelin despite greater diversity of their pgf myelin protein sequences. Myelin staining was observed when there was at least 40% identity of the mAb epitope and known pgf myelin proteins of the same or related species. The pgf myelin proteins of teleosts and elasmobranchs lack 116–150; the anti-100–123 mAb did not stain their myelin. In addition to myelin, the anti-178– 191 mAb stained many neurons in all species; other mAbs stained distinct neuron subpopulations in different species. Neuronal staining was observed when there was at least approximately 30% identity of the PLP mAb epitope and known pgf neuronal proteins of the same or related species. Thus, anti-human PLP epitope mAbs simultaneously recognize CNS myelin and neurons even without extensive sequence identity. Widespread anti-PLP mAb recognition of neurons suggests a novel potential pathophysiologic mechanism in MS patients, i.e., that anti-PLP antibodies associated with demyelination might simultaneously recognize pgf epitopes in neurons, thereby affecting their functions

Decrease in 17β-oestradiol receptor in brain of ageing rats

We have shown that the administration of 17β-oestradiol to ovariectomised female raits induces acetylcholinesterase (AChE; EC 3.1.1.7) in the cerebral hemisphere and cerebellum, and that this induction decreases with increasing age. The greatest induction occurs in the immature rat, and there is no induction in the old. As 17β-oestradiol receptors are present in rat brain, we suggested that the impairment of AChE induction in the brain of old rats may be due to a decrease in the level of this receptor. This study was designed to test our hypothesis, and the data show for the first time that it may be correct

Concomitant studies on RNA and protein syntheses in tissues of rats of various ages

Concomitant in vivo studies on RNA and protein syntheses in the liver, muscle, heart, brain, kidney, testis and spleen of 11, 40 and 89 week old male rats were conducted using 14C-leucine respectively. Some of the significant findings are that (1) the rates of syntheses of RNA and protein change with age in different tissues; (2) the patterns of these changes are similar in the liver, heart, skeletal muscle and kidney, whereas those of the brain, spleen and testis are different; (3) even though the concentration of RNA in all the tissues is highest at 89 weeks, the rate of protein synthesis is lower than at 40 weeks. The possible cause(s) of these changes may be that (a) the fraction of translatable mRNA may be lower in old age; (b) rRNA synthesis may change with age; (c) the types of mRNA and the rates of their syntheses may change with age due to the need for different isoenzymes and other proteins not present in earlier ages

Implementing Standardized Patients to Teach Cultural Competency to Graduate Nursing Students

Background: Although many programs emphasize knowledge enhancement on caring for patients from diverse cultural backgrounds, few integrate cultural assessments, skills, and encounters with these patients. To fill this gap, an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) with culturally diverse standardized patients was introduced to 29 first-year graduate nursing students. Method: The learning experience was implemented in three phases: (a) Pretest, (b) didactic introduction to culturally sensitive issues, and (c) video-recorded OSCE with two ethnically diverse, standardized patients. A posttest and final evaluation concluded the experience. Results/Conclusions: The objective scoring of student competency from the SPs was positive, especially their assessment of patient use of alternative therapies. The students perceived that their critical thinking skills were enhanced