Cubic vertices for N=1 supersymmetric massless higher spin fields in various dimensions

Using the BRST approach to higher spin field theories we develop a generic technique for constructing the cubic interaction vertices for N =1 supersymmetric massless higher spin fields on four, six and ten dimensional flat backgrounds. Such an approach allows formulation of the equations for cubic vertices including bosonic and fermionic higher spin fields, and the problem of finding the vertices is reduced to finding the consistent solutions to these equations. As a realization of this procedure, we present the particular solutions for the vertices where the fields obey some off-shell constraints. It is shown that the supersymmetry imposes additional constraints on the vertices and singles out a particular subclass of the solutions. As a concrete application of the generic scheme, we consider supersymmetric Yang-Mills-like systems in four, six and ten dimensions where the higher spin fields transform under some internal symmetry group, as well as supergravity-like systems in the same dimensions

Genes encoding tumor necrosis factor alpha and granzyme A are expressed during development of autoimmune diabetes.

Progressive destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in nonobese diabetic mice is observed after infiltration of the pancreas with lymphocytes [Makino, S., Kunimoto, K., Muraoka, Y., Mizushima, Y., Katagiri, K. & Tochino, Y. (1980) Exp. Anim. (Tokyo) 29, 1-13]. We show that the genes for tumor necrosis factor alpha and granzyme A, a serine protease associated with cytoplasmic granules of cytotoxic cells, are expressed during the development of spontaneous diabetes mellitus in the nonobese diabetic mouse. Granzyme A-positive cells are found both in and surrounding the islets, implying induction prior to islet infiltration. Tumor necrosis factor alpha expression is exclusively observed in the intra-islet infiltrate, predominantly in lymphocytes adjacent to insulin-producing beta cells, the targets of the autoimmune destruction, implying that tumor necrosis factor alpha expression is induced locally--i.e., in the islet. A considerable portion of cells expressing tumor necrosis factor alpha appear to be CD4+ T cells. This T-cell subset was previously shown to be necessary for development of the disease. Thus, these findings may be important for understanding the pathogenesis of autoimmune diabetes mellitus and potentially also for that of other T-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases