Characterization of lymphocyte subsets over a 24-hour period in Pineal-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (PALT) in the chicken

BACKGROUND: Homeostatic trafficking of lymphocytes in the brain has important relevance to the understanding of CNS disease processes. The pineal gland of the chicken contains large accumulations of lymphocytes that suggest an important role related to homeostatic circadian neuro-immune interactions. The purpose of this initial study was to characterize the lymphocyte subsets in the pineal gland and quantitate the distribution and frequency of lymphocyte phenotypes at two time points over the 24-hour light:dark cycle. RESULTS: PALT comprised approximately 10% of the total pineal area. Image analysis of immunocytochemically stained sections showed that the majority of lymphocytes were CD3(+ )(80%) with the remaining 20% comprising B-cells and monocytes (Bu-1(+)), which tended to distribute along the periphery of the PALT. T-cell subsets in PALT included CD4(+ )(75–80%), CD8(+ )(20–25%), TCRαβ/Vβ(1)(+ )(60%), and TCRγδ(+ )(15%). All of the T-cell phenotypes were commonly found within the interfollicular septa and follicles of the pineal gland. However, the ratios of CD8(+)/CD4(+ )and TCRγδ(+)/TCRαβ/Vβ(1)(+ )within the pineal tissue were each 1:1, in contrast to the PALT where the ratios of CD8(+)/CD4(+ )and TCRγδ(+)/TCRαβ/Vβ(1)(+ )each approximated 1:4. Bu-1(+ )cells were only rarely seen in the pineal interstitial spaces, but ramified Bu-1(+ )microglia/macrophages were common in the pineal follicles. Effects of the 24-h light:dark cycle on these lymphocyte-pineal interactions were suggested by an increase in the area of PALT, a decline in the density of TCRαβ/Vβ(1)(+ )cells, and a decline in the area density of Bu-1(+ )microglia at the light:dark interphase (1900 h) compared to the dark:light interphase (0700 h). CONCLUSION: The degree of lymphocyte infiltration in the pineal suggests novel mechanisms of neuro-immune interactions in this part of the brain. Our results further suggest that these interactions have a temporal component related to the 24-hour light:dark cycle and that CD8(+ )and TCRγδ(+ )T-cells are preferentially recruited to the pineal follicles. Pineal microglia/macrophages were common and represent an important candidate for mediating these lymphocyte-pineal interactions via secretion of cytokines and chemokines

Defining a Role for Inducible Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70i) In Mediating Autoimmune Vitiligo

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease characterized by destruction of melanocytes, leaving 0.5% of the population with progressive depigmentation. Current treatments offer limited efficacy. Observations that heat shock proteins (HSPs) can serve as adjuvants in antitumor vaccines first suggested to us a link between HSPs and stress-induced vitiligo. Such proteins are marvelously well conserved throughout evolution, which has placed them in the spotlight for helping to understand the intriguing relationship between infection and immunity. Intracellularly, inducible heat shock protein 70 (HSP70i) is upregulated by stress and helps protect cells from undergoing apoptosis. In times of stress, melanocytes will secrete antigen bound HSP70i to act as an alarm signal in activating dendritic cells (DCs), invoking a targeted response towards melanocytes. Thus HSPs are candidate molecules mediating the transition between causative stress and the autoimmune response to follow. We hypothesized that HSP70i is important for inducing an autoimmune response in vitiligo through presentation of melanocyte antigens and activation of dendritic cells and , and that blocking its dendritic cell activating region will halt depigmentation. Data in this dissertation reveal 1) Vitiliginous melanocytes (e.g., melanocytes harvested from vitiligo patient nonlesional skin) secrete higher levels of HSP70i, 2) HSP70i colocalizes with melanocyte antigens, 3) HSP70i is required to induce vitiligo, 4) The sequence QPGVLIQVYEG located in the C-terminus is required for immune activity leading to depigmentation, 5) Vaccination with mutant HSP70iQ435A prevents and treats vitiligo by altering antigen presenting cell and T cell profiles. Together these findings suggest that the autoimmune response is funneled through HSP70i, and provide compelling experimental evidence that exposure to inducible heat shock protein 70 (HSP70i) carrying a single amino acid modification offers potent prophylactic and therapeutic opportunities in vitiligo

Closing the certification gap in family and consumer sciences

As the demand for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) teachers continues nationwide, preparing individuals to meet teacher certification requirements becomes more difficult. This study\u27s objective was to identify the barriers individuals encounter in accessing the necessary coursework for teacher certification in FCS and identify the strategies used to help these individuals obtain and maintain state certification. A survey designed by the researcher was sent to FCS teacher educators at colleges and universities (n=164) and FCS state administrators who work at each state\u27s education department (n=64). The survey asked participants to respond to factual, attitudinal, and demographic questions concerning the state certification process and FCS education programs that prepare individuals to become teachers. The results indicate many barriers exist for individuals to obtain and maintain certification in FCS. A major barrier was not having enough postsecondary institutions across the country offering FCS education programs. Some FCS education programs are using strategies to help individuals reach their goal of becoming teachers and then maintaining teacher certification. Effective strategies used are offering online courses, offering courses at satellite locations closer to where individuals live and work, and offering an alternative route to certification. While using online courses as a strategy can be effective, 37% of postsecondary institutions are not offering online courses and are encountering barriers to starting a distance education program. These barriers mainly deal with faculty issues and how faculty members are supported by the institution in developing online courses. Until these barriers are dealt with at each institution, the increase of online courses in FCS will be minimal. In order for FCS educators and state administrators to assist individuals in obtaining and maintaining teacher certification, they need to evaluate the barriers encountered and implement one or more strategies identified in this study. In fact, the main objective of the study was to generate and share a list of strategies with educators so more individuals can become certified FCS teachers