HIV neuropathogenesis and therapeutic strategies

Abstract Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-l neuropathogenesis can be divided into three important components: (i) virus entry into the nervous system; (ii) the role of viral proteins and/or cellular products in neural tissue damage; and (iii) the mechanisms of neuronal injury/death. Both blood derived macrophages or trafficking HIV-1 infected T-lymphocytes have been implicated in viral entry to the central nervous system (CNS). The major cell type harboring productive HIV-1 infection in the nervous system is the perivascular macrophage/ microglia. The HIV-1 infection of brain astrocytes, restricted to the expression of regulatory gene products, may cause astrocyte dysfunction and contribute to neuronal injury or to disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Studies of cerebrospinal fluid and postmortem tissues reveal chronic inflammation/immune activation in the nervous system during the later stages of HIV-1 infection associated with disruption of BBB integrity. Blood-brain barrier damage may underlie the white matter pallor described in HIV-1 infection and could result in further entry into the CNS of toxic viral or cellular products, or additional HIV-1 infected cells. The HIV infected and activated macrophages/microglia produce excessive amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha, and platelet activating factor. These products are directly toxic to human neurons in vitro. The HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein, gp 120 may stimulate the release of toxic factors from brain macrophages. Blocking N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA; or AMPA) glutamate receptors can antagonize candidate toxins of both viral and cellular origin. It has been postulated that (weak) excitotoxicity leads to oxidative stress in neurons and ultimately to apoptosis. Neuronal apoptosis occurs in the brains of both children and adults with HIV-1 infection. This understanding of HIV neuropathogenesis implies that therapeutic strategies should include: (i) anti-retroviral medications to decrease systemic and CNS virus load, and possibly to prevent perinatal transmission of HIV; (ii) anti-inflammatory compounds to decrease the chronic immune activation in microglia and allow the restoration of BBB integrity; and (iii) neuroprotective compounds to reduce neuronal injury and apoptotic death.     

Six Cases of Prenatal and Neonatal Torsion of the Spermatic Cord

Torsions of the spermatic cord occurring from the intrauterine period to the end of the first year of life are termed perinatal. These are divided into prenatal and postnatal torsions, depending on their occurrence in the intrauterine or postuterine period. From January 1984 to January 1996, 6 cases were identified at our institution, involving 4 prenatal and 2 postnatal extravaginal torsions of the spermatic cord. These cases are reviewed with regard to optimal therapeutic approaches for the treatment of both the affected gonad as well as the contralateral one, and whether the event occurred prenatally or postnatally. The authors also propose several clinical indications useful for obstetricians, pediatricians, urologists and nurses.     

Topographic organization of descending projection neurons to the spinal cord of the goldfish, Carassius auratus

Several neurons from different nuclei give rise to descending spinal tracts and project to various levels in the spinal cord of goldfish, Carassius auratus. These were visualized by retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) administered to the bilaterally transected spinal cord at 6 levels, corresponding to 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th and 25gh segments of the vertebral column. As many as 16 brain nuclei or neuronal aggregations and the Mauthner cells project posteriorly up to the 20th spinal segment. Restricted neurons of the dorsolateral area in the nucleus preopticus magnocellularis and those of the ventromedial nucleus of the thalamus projected up to the 20th and 25th segments respectively. In the mesencephalon, the nucleus ruber and the nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus revealed retrogradely labeled somata; the former extended up to the 20th segment, while the latter projected up to the 25th segment. The remaining descending projected neurons of the brain belonged to the rhombencephalon. The nucleus of the lateral lemniscus; anterior, magnocellular, descending and posterior divisions of the octaval nucleus: raphe nucleus; Mauthner cell and the neurons located adjacent to the trigeminal tract and those in the vicinity of the secondary gustatory tract sent their processes up to 20th segmental level. However, somata of the superior, medial and inferior divisions of the reticular nucleus and restricted neurons of the facial lobe extended up to 25th segmental level. The pattern of neuronal projections into the spinal cord suggests a topographic organization.     

5-羟色胺对大鼠脊髓P物质痛觉调制的影响(英文)

比较SP,5-HT与For诱发的脊髓内c-fos表达的异同,以及它们之间的相互关系,从而进一步了解SP在脊髓痛觉调制中的主要作用.方法:用免疫组织化学法和痛阈测定法.结果:发现大鼠it P物质(sP)10μg和sc5％甲醛(For)150μL诱发的脊髓c-fos表达主要在背角Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅴ及Ⅵ层,同时SP使痛阈降低,For使痛级均数(PIR)升高.5-HT it 20μg引起的c-fos表达较多地分布于背角Ⅲ—Ⅳ层,并可使痛阈升高.5-HT和Fen可分别减弱和增加SP及For诱发的脊髓c-fos表达及痛反应.结论:SP在脊髓内可能主要起致痛作用,5-HT可抑制SP引起的脊髓c-fos表达,从而参与SP的痛觉调制作用.     

脊髓手术中体感诱发电位监测的临床研究

报告３０例脊髓手术中体感诱发电位（ＳＥＰ）连续监测的临床研究结果。ＳＥＰ记录包括脊髓ＳＥＰ（ＳＳＥＰ）和皮层ＳＥＰ（ＳＣＥＰ）。麻醉药物对ＳＥＰ有一定程度影响，ＳＣＥＰ相对较大。认为，至少术中ＳＥＰ潜伏期延长不超过８％和波幅降低不超过５０％，不会引起术后并发症，超过该范围由于病例较少，尚不能肯定与预后的关系，需进一步探讨。     

异丙酚对慢性神经痛大鼠脊髓诱导型一氧化氮合酶表达的影响

目的 研究不同剂量异丙酚对慢性神经痛大鼠触诱发痛痛阈及其脊髓组织诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)mRNA的影响。方法 Wistar大鼠40只,随机分为四组,Ⅰ组为空白对照;Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组结扎左侧坐骨神经。术后第7天,Ⅰ、Ⅱ组腹腔注射生理盐水50 ml·kg-1,Ⅲ、Ⅳ组腹腔注射异丙酚50 ml·kg-1或75ml·kg-1,每天一次共6 d。在术后第6、10和12天,使用Von Frey法分别测定各组大鼠触诱发痛痛阈,比较不同剂量的异丙酚对大鼠痛阈的影响。术后第12天取L4-5和L5-6节段脊神经节和脊髓组织,采用半定量RT-PCR法,对各组大鼠脊髓组织iNOS mRNA表达进行检测。结果 术后第10和12天,Ⅲ、Ⅳ组大鼠双侧的痛阈值高于Ⅱ组(P<0.05);术后第12天,Ⅲ、Ⅳ组大鼠脊髓组织iNOS mRNA表达低于Ⅱ组(P<0.05)。结论 异丙酚通过抑制脊髓组织iNOS mRNA转录,降低其表达,而起到一定的抗伤害作用。     

鞘内注射吗啡对切口疼痛大鼠脊髓背角蛋白激酶Cγ免疫反应的影响

目的 研究鞘内注射吗啡对切口疼痛大鼠脊髓背角蛋白激酶Cγ(PKCγ)免疫反应的影响。方法 SD雄性大鼠24只,随机分为4组(每组6只):假手术组(Ⅰ组)、对照组(Ⅱ组)术前30 min鞘内注射人工脑脊液20μl,术后吗啡治疗组(Ⅲ组)、术前吗啡治疗组(Ⅳ组)分别于术后和术前30min鞘内注射吗啡5μg(10 μl)。所有大鼠均按Brennan法制成切口疼痛模型,用免疫组织化学方法观察脊髓背角PKCγ的表达。结果 Ⅱ组术侧脊髓背角PKCγ-IR表达高于非术侧及Ⅰ组(P<0.01)。与Ⅱ组比较,Ⅲ组、Ⅳ组脊髓背角PKCγ-IR表达降低(P<0.05或0.01),而Ⅲ组、Ⅳ组比较差异无显著性。结论 在大鼠切口疼痛模型中,鞘内注射吗啡的镇痛作用可能与抑制脊髓背角的PKCγ-IR免疫反应有关。     

Why study transport of peptides and proteins at the neurovascular interface

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is an immense neurovascular interface. In neurodegenerative, ischemic, and traumatic disorders of the central nervous system (CNS), the BBB may hinder the delivery of many therapeutic peptides and proteins to the brain and spinal cord. Fortunately, the mistaken dogma that peptides and proteins do not cross the BBB has been corrected during the past two decades by the accumulating evidence that peptides and proteins in the periphery exert potent effects in the CNS. Not only can peptides and proteins serve as carriers for selective therapeutic agents, but they themselves may directly cross the BBB after delivery into the bloodstream. Their passage may be mediated by simple diffusion or specific transport, both of which can be affected by interactions in the blood compartment (outside the BBB) and within the endothelial cells (at the BBB level). Although the majority of current delivery strategies focuses on modification of the molecule to be delivered, understanding the mechanisms of transport will eventually facilitate regulation of the BBB directly. We review the different aspects of interactions and discuss recent advances in the cell biology of peptide/protein transport across the BBB. Better understanding of the nature and regulation of the transport systems at the BBB will provide a new direction to enhance the interactions of peripheral peptides and proteins with the CNS.