A sequential series of mutational events is necessary for the development of leukemia. The misexpression of TAL1, a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor, is the most common mutation in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Tal1 transgenic mice develop leukemia with a long latency and incomplete penetrance indicating additional mutations are necessary to develop disease. To investigate additional mutational events that potentially contribute to TAL1-expressing T-ALL patients, we sought to identify cooperating mutations in Tal1 transgenic mice. Clinical studies implicated the loss of the INK4a/ARF locus, which encodes two tumor suppressors, p16INK4a and p14ARF, in the majority of T-ALL patients. We demonstrated disease acceleration in tal1/ink4a/arf+/-, tal1/pl6ink4a+/- and tal1/p19arf+/- mice, thereby providing genetic evidence that Tal1 cooperates with loss of either p16Ink4a or p19Arf in leukemogenesis. The cooperation of Tal1 with the loss of or p16Ink4a or p19Arf, is consistent with our observation that Tal1 alters cell cycle regulation in leukemia by promoting S phase induction and apoptosis in vivo. An additional mutational event common in tal1 tumors is activation of the Notch1 signaling pathway. We provide evidence that the majority of tal1 tumors express increased levels of Notch1, and exhibit activating notch1 mutations. Additionally, tal1 tumors display sensitivity to the pharmacologic inhibition of γ-secretase activity in vitro, indicating that γ-secretase inhibitors may prove an efficacious treatment for TAL1-expressing T-ALL patients. Furthermore, we developed a doxycycline-regulated NotchIC T-ALL cell line, which will allow the identification of important Notch1IC target genes in leukemogenesis.

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5.4pt;mso-para-margin-top:0in;mso-para-margin-right:0in;mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;mso-para-margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}</style><![endif]--></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Uvod: Aristolohična kiselina I je nefrotoksična i kancerogena supstanca koja je odgovorna za nefropatiju koja nastaje usled kori&scaron;ćenja herbalnih preparata i čajeva za mr&scaron;avljenje. S obzirom da se ova supstanca može naći u korovskim biljkama, smatra se jednim od glavnih ekotoksikolo&scaron;kih uzroka za nastanak balkanske endemske nefropatije čiji definitivan uzrok jo&scaron; uvek nije otkriven. Toksičnost ove supstance je dokazana na brojnim animalnim modelima, međutim mehanizmi koji dovode do o&scaron;tećenja bubrežnog parenhima jo&scaron; u potpunosti nisu razja&scaron;njeni.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Cilj: Doktorska disertacija je koncipirana sa ciljem da se utvrdi uticaj toksičnog jedinjenja aristolohične kiseline I na histopatolo&scaron;ke i imunohistohemijske karakteristike tubulointersticijuma i glomerula bubrega kod mi&scaron;eva, kao i na biohemijske parametre krvi i urina koji ukazuju na o&scaron;tećenje bubrega. Materijal i metode: U ekperimentu je kori&scaron;ćeno 64 mi&scaron;a soja NMRI koji su podeljeni u tri grupe: eksperimentalna grupa (n=32) koja je dobijala aristolohičnu kiselinu I rastvorenu u polietilen glikolu (2,5% PEG 400) u dozi od 10 mg/kg telesne mase, negativna kontrolna grupa koja je dobijala 2,5% PEG 400 (n=16) i kontrolna grupa koja je dobijala fiziolo&scaron;ki rastovor (n=16). Sve životinje su tretirane intraperitonealno svakodnevno tokom sedam dana. Tokom eksperimenta 8., 17., 29. i 59. dana sakupljan je dvadesetčetvoročasovni urin 8 životinja iz eksperimentalne grupe, 4 životinje iz negativne kontrolne i 4 životinje iz kontrolne grupe. Životinje su žrtvovane 9., 18., 30. i 60. dana, uzeta im je krv, dok su bubrezi posebno odvojeni radi histopatolo&scaron;ke analize. Na bubrežnom tkivu sprovedene su histohemijske, imunohistohemijske i morfometrijske analize, dok su na uzorcima seruma i urina sprovedene biohemijske analize. Dobijeni rezultati su testirani adekvatnim statističkim metodama i prikazani su tabelarno i grafički. Rezultati: Nefrotoksin aristolohična kiselina I nakon 7 dana aplikacije izaziva značajno o&scaron;tećenje bubrežnog parenhima. Pri aplikaciji 2,5% PEG 400 i fiziolo&scaron;kog rastvora ne dolazi do vidljivog o&scaron;tećenja bubrežnog parenhima. Histopatolo&scaron;ku sliku u ranoj fazi eksperimenta (9. i 18. dan) karakteri&scaron;e akutna tubulska nekroza proksimalnih tubula. U kasnijoj fazi (30. i 60. dana) uočava se histopatolo&scaron;ka slika hroničnog intersticijalnog nefritisa sa obilnim mononuklearnim ćelijskim infiltratima limfocitnog porekla kao i postojanje blage intersticijalne fibroze. Kod eksperimentalnih životinja je morfometrijskim metodama utvrđen veći stepen bubrežnog o&scaron;tećenja tubulointersticijuma i smanjen broj podocita u glomerulu u odnosu na kontrolne grupe. Biohemijske analize kod većine eksperimentalnih životinja su pokazale veće koncentracije serumske uree nego kod kontrolnih grupa. Takođe je dokazana albuminurija u kasnijoj fazi eksperimenta koja je veća kod životinja izloženih aristolohičnoj kiselini I nego kod životinja iz kontrolnih grupa. Zaključak: Kori&scaron;ćenjem morfometrijskih metoda u okviru histopatolo&scaron;kih i imunohistohemijskih ispitivanja, uz adekvatne biohemijske analize, može se zaključiti da je aristolohična kiselina I izuzetno nefrotoksično jedinjenje koje izaziva izrazite<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>promene tubulointersticijuma i glomerula. Podaci ovog istraživanja predstavljaju polaznu osnovu za dalja istraživanja dijagnostike u ranoj fazi nefropatija izazvanih aristolohičnim kiselinama.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span></p> / <p>Introduction: Aristolochic acid I is a nephrotoxic and carcinogenic substance responsible for nephropathy caused by the use of herbal preparations and teas for slimminng regimen. Since this substance can be found in plants, it is considered one of the major ecotoxicological causes for the emergence of balkan endemic nephropathy whose definitive cause has not yet been revealed. The toxicity of this substance has been proven on numerous animal models, but pathophysiological mechanisms of kidney injury still remain unclear. Aim: The doctoral dissertation was designed to determine the influence of aristolochic acid on the histopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of tubulointerstitium and glomerulus in mice, as well as the biochemical parameters of blood and urine that indicate kidney injury. Material and methods: For this study, 64 mouse of NMRI strain is used. They are divided into three groups: an experimental group (n=32) that received aristolochic acid I dissolved in polyethylene glycol (2.5% PEG 400) at a dose of 10 mg/kg of body weight, a negative control group that received 2.5% PEG 400 (n=16) and a control group that received only saline (n=16). All animals were treated intraperitoneally daily for seven days. During the experiment on the 8th, 17th, 29th and 59th day, twenty-four-hour urine was collected from 8 animals from the experimental group, 4 animals from the negative control and 4 animals from the control group. Animals were sacrificed on the 9th, 18th, 30th and 60th days, their blood was taken, while the kidneys were taken for histopathological analysis. Histochemical, immunohistochemical and morphometric analyzes were performed on renal tissue, while biochemical analyzes were performed on serum and urine samples. Obtained results were tested with adequate statistical methods and presented in a tables and graphs. Results: After 7 days of application nefrotoxin aristolochic acid I causes significant kidney injury. After application of 2.5% PEG 400 and saline, there was no visible damage to kidney parenchyma. Histopathological changes at the early stage of the experiment (9th and 18th day) were characterized by acute tubular necrosis of proximal tubules. At a later stage (30th and 60th day), chronic interstitial nephritis was observed in kidneys, with abundant mononuclear cell infiltrates in interstitium and presence of mild interstitial fibrosis. In experimental animals, a higher tubulointerstitial score of kidney injury and a decrease in the number of the podocytes in glomerulus were determined by morphometric methods, compared to the control groups. Biochemical analyzes in most experimental animals showed higher blood urea nitrogen concentrations than in control groups. High concentration of albumin in urine can be found in later stages of the experiment, and those concentrations were higher in animals exposed to aristolochic acid I than in animals from control groups.&nbsp; Conclusion: Using morphometric, histopathological and immunohistochemical methods, with adequate biochemical analysis, aristolochic acid I is proven to be an extremely nephrotoxic compound that causes drastic changes in tubulointerstitium and glomeruli of kidney parenhyma. Data from this study can be used for further research into early diagnosis of aristolochic acid nephropathy.</p>

The dissertation consists of three major projects with the focus on the immunotoxicity of chromium and the behavior disorders caused by early ETOH exposure respectively. Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is widely used in various industrial processes and has been recognized as a carcinogen. As the first line of host defense system, the immune system can be a primary target of Cr(VI). T cell population represents a major arm of the immune system that plays a critical role in host anti-tumor immunity. Dysfunction of T cells compromises host anti-tumor immunity resulting in oncogenesis. Using mouse splenic T cells as an in vitro model system, the present study assessed the effects of Cr(VI) on T cell functions, as the first step of our investigation of the mechanism underlying Cr(VI)-inhibited immunosurveillance and carcinogenesis. Our results showed that Cr(VI) decreased the viability of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, inhibited T cell activation, functions, including cytokine release, and degranulation. Fetal ethanol (ETOH) exposure can damage the developing central nervous system and lead to cognitive and behavioral deficits, known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). The use of animal models, especially mouse models is essential for investigating the neurogenetic mechanism of fetal ETOH effects and screening pharmacotherapies against it, due to the extensive knowledge of mouse genetics. However, the availability of mouse model is limited. Via adopting various dosage, timing and administration routes of ETOH exposure, we developed two mouse models to assess behavioral or cognitive changes caused by fetal ETOH exposure in pre-weaning and adolescent period. Our results show that high dosage of ETOH exposure (4 g/kg) during PD 4-10 resulted in hyperactivity, disinhibition, and deficits in learning and memory in mouse offspring, which lays the groundwork for the future FASD research.

The model of basal ganglia function proposed by Albin, Young and Penney (1989) describes two anatomically independent motor pathways, the direct and indirect. However, under normal conditions striatal dopamine (DA) is required for the expression of motor behavior, and DAergic control of the two pathways (via D1 and D2 receptors, respectively) is dependent on co-activation. We tested for a possible breakdown of D1/D2 synergism using transgenic R6/1 mice bearing the human huntingtin allele (Htt). Motor stereotypy, observed prior to the onset of HD-related symptoms, was rated on a 5-point scale following activation of: A) D1 receptors alone, B) D2 receptors alone, and C) stimulation of both D1 and D2 receptors. Results revealed that mice with the HD allele, like their WT litter mates, depend on the co-activation of the indirect and direct motor pathways to facilitate deliberate behavior.

Psychedelics are a subset of hallucinogenic drugs that exert their characteristic effects through agonist activity at the serotonin receptor 2A (5-HT2A). In this study, I aimed to characterize the modulatory role of the metabotropic glutamate subtype 2 receptor (mGluR2) in the 5-HT2A-specific rodent model of hallucinogenic action, head-twitch response (HTR). Secondly, I aimed to explore if 5-HT2A agonist-induced deficits in prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle response, an additional model of hallucinogenic action, could be produced in mice. Though 5-HT2A agonist-induced PPI deficits, which represent interruptions in normal sensorimotor gating, have been described in both rats and humans, attempts to translate this behavior to mice are rare. In contrast to prior gene knockout studies suggesting the mGluR2 is necessary for 5-HT2A agonist-induced HTR, mGluR2 knockout (Grm2-/-) mice still displayed HTR upon administration of the psychedelic 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI). Additionally, DOI and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) produced unexpected improvements in PPI in male 126S6/Sv wild-type mice, depending on the experimental protocol used and the origin of the animals. Sex differences were observed as DOI-induced improvements in PPI were present in female 129S6/Sv mice of the same origin and tested with the same protocol as their male counterparts; this effect in females was absent in 5-HT2A knockout (Htr2a-/-) mice. The results of this study shed light on issues with replicability and reproducibility in science, the importance of highlighting the origin and background of animal subjects, and potential sex differences in hallucinogenic drug action.

Freie Univ., Diss. u.d.T.: Schwerin, Alexander von: Tierzucht, Strahlen und Pigmente--Berlin, 2002. / Personalbibliogr. H. Nachtsheim S. [350] - 371.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-17T14:49:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 884266 bytes, checksum: b2fc6505d10abdbaaf135855e8e6fd2c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-09-29 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Researches demonstrate that the consumption of fermented milk is beneficial to the health due to the presence of lactic acid bacteria and of the products of the metabolism produced by them during the fermentation of the milk. The objective of this work was to evaluate the action of the lactic bacterias of two commercial marks of fermented milks, one cultivated with Lactobacillus paracasei (L1) and other with Lactobacillus casei (L2), on the weight gain and hematologic and histopathologic parameters of rats Wistar making the indomethacin use. The choice of the drug based on the hypothesis of the existence of the protection of the digestive system and of the histology of the organs of the animals against the possible aggression of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory for the concomitant administration of the fermented milks. Three lots of each fermented milk were used, taking place the count of the viability of the lactic bacterias, gram coloration, catalase and morphologic identification. Simultaneously, 60 rats Wistar males with 90 days, consuming commercial ration and water ad libitum, were divided in 6 groups of 10, being the group LP added of L1; LP + D of L1 + drug; C (control) of water; D, of drug; LC, of L2; and LC + D, of L2 + drug. The animals received the fermented milks (5mL/Kg/day) and/or the drug indomethacin (2mg/Kg/day) for gavage for 40 days, enrolling the weekly weights. After the sacrifice, blood samples were collected for the accomplishment of hemograms and it was verified the weight of the kidneys, spleens and livers, taking place the histopathology of these organs and of the stomachs and intestines. The obtained results were treated with ANOVA, Tukey, Friedman, Duncan, Kruskall-wallis and Wilcoxon (p<0,05), being used the statistical package R. The strains of L1 and L2 resulted in catalase negative, gram positive and morphology of bacilli, presenting final counts of bacteria with superior values to 106 UFC. The fermented milks added to the diets of LP and LC and the addition of the drug to D didn't influence in the weekly weight gain of the animals, but LP+D and LC+D statistically differed of C and D, suggesting there to be interaction among drug-food. In the difference among the initial and final weight of the animals, the groups that received fermented milk resembled each other to the control, except the group LP whose weight gain was inferior; D also presented deficit of weight gain in relation to the group C. The diets didn't influence in the weights of the kidneys of the experimental groups, LP just presented significant difference in terms of spleen weight in relation to the other groups and the weights of the livers of the groups LP, D and LC+D differed in relation to the control group, where D resulted in superior weight of C and LP and LC+D obtained inferior weights to the control group. In the blood parameters, the groups didn't differ to each other in the red and white series, nor in the differential leucocyte count, if not verifying immunostimulatory effects; already in the counts of the platelets, some groups presented statistical difference, however the obtained results were inside of the allowed. The histopathological analysis had not evidenced histology alterations in the stomachs, livers, kidneys and spleens, meeting discreet infiltrated of lymphoid cells in the own sheet of the intestine of the experimental groups. / Pesquisas demonstram que o consumo de leite fermentado é benéfico à saúde devido à presença de bactérias láticas e dos metabólitos produzidos por elas durante a fermentação do leite. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a ação das bactérias láticas de duas marcas comerciais de leites fermentados, uma cultivada com Lactobacillus paracasei (L1) e outra com Lactobacillus casei (L2), sobre o ganho de peso e parâmetros hematológicos e histopatológicos de ratos Wistar fazendo o uso de indometacina. A escolha da droga baseou-se na hipótese da existência da proteção do trato digestivo e da histologia dos órgãos dos animais contra a possível agressão do antiinflamatório pela administração concomitante dos leites fermentados. Foram utilizados três lotes de cada leite fermentado, realizando-se a contagem da viabilidade das bactérias láticas, coloração de gram, catalase e identificação morfológica. Simultaneamente, 60 ratos Wistar machos com 90 dias, consumindo ração comercial e água ad libitum, foram divididos em 6 grupos de 10, sendo o grupo LP adicionado de L1; LP + D de L1 + droga; C (controle) de água; D, de droga; LC, de L2; e LC + D, de L2 + droga. Os animais receberam os leites fermentados (5mL/Kg/dia) e/ou a droga indometacina (2mg/Kg/dia) por gavagem durante 40 dias, registrandose os pesos semanais. Após o sacrifício, amostras sanguíneas foram coletadas para a realização de hemogramas e verificou-se o peso dos rins, baços e fígados, realizando-se a histopatologia destes órgãos e dos estômagos e intestinos. Os dados obtidos foram tratados com ANOVA, Tukey, Friedman, Duncan, Kruskall-wallis e Wilcoxon (p<0,05), utilizando-se o pacote estatístico R. As cepas de L1 e L2 resultaram em catalase negativas, gram positivas e morfologia de bacilos, apresentando contagens finais de bactérias com valores superiores a 106 UFC/mL. Os leites fermentados adicionados às dietas de LP e LC e a adição da droga ao grupo D não influenciaram no ganho de peso semanal dos animais, mas LP+D e LC+D diferiram estatisticamente de C e D, sugerindo haver interação entre droga-alimento. Na diferença entre o peso inicial e final dos animais, os grupos que receberam leite fermentado assemelharam-se ao controle, exceto o grupo LP cujo ganho de peso foi inferior; D também apresentou déficit de ganho de peso em relação ao grupo C. As dietas não influenciaram nos pesos dos rins dos grupos experimentais, apenas LP apresentou diferença significativa em termos de peso de baço em relação aos demais grupos e os pesos dos fígados dos grupos LP, D e LC+D diferiram em relação ao grupo controle, onde D resultou em peso superior a C e LP e LC+D obtiveram pesos inferiores ao grupo controle. Nos parâmetros sanguíneos, os grupos não diferiram entre si nas séries vermelha e branca, nem na contagem diferencial dos leucócitos, não se constatando efeito imunoestimulador; já nas contagens das plaquetas, alguns grupos apresentaram diferença estatística, porém os resultados obtidos encontraramse dentro da faixa permitida. As análises histopatológicas não evidenciaram alterações na histologia dos estômagos, fígados, rins e baços, apresentando discreto infiltrado de células linfóides na lâmina própria do intestino dos grupos experimentais.

Le "gold-standard" du traitement chirurgical des scolioses est l'arthrodèse, qui consiste, à l'aide d'une instrumentation adaptée, à corriger et redresser les déformations scoliotiques, puis fusionner les vertèbres du segment pathologique afin de consolider la correction réalisée. Cette fusion entraine la destruction de la biomécanique physiologique du rachis, en supprimant sa mobilité et sa croissance. Les travaux réalisés dans le cadre de cette thèse portent sur le développement et la validation d'un nouveau concept d'instrumentation rachidienne ayant pour objectifs de réduire voire d'arrêter l'évolution des déformations rachidiennes, en conservant croissance et mobilité. Ce nouveau dispositif a nécessité une étude biomécanique large, partant du concept nouveau de cet implant, passant par la mise au point d'une méthodologie expérimentale, la conception et la réalisation de prototypes, puis leur validation à travers des études numériques, mécaniques, tribologiques et in vivo sur gros animal. La caractérisation in vitro du dispositif porte sur des essais mécaniques de caractérisation de matériau et des essais tribologiques de caractérisation du frottement. La caractérisation in vivo consiste en deux études menées sur gros animal, le modèle de porc Landrace, une première sur l'étude de l'arrachement de vis pédiculaires, puis une seconde, de validation de concept, avec 2 mois d'implantation du montage. Les premières conclusions tirées de ces travaux sont positives quant au bon fonctionnement du système. Des études en cours et à venir permettront de compléter ces résultats, et de valider le système dans son ensemble, afin de permettre sa future mise sur le marché. / The "gold standard" of surgical treatment of scoliosis is arthrodesis, which, with an appropriate instrumentation, corrects and straightens the deformities and fuses the vertebra of the pathologic segment to consolidate the correction. This fusion leads to the destruction of the physiological biomechanics of the spine, destroying growth and mobility. The work done in this thesis focuses on the development and validation of a new concept of spinal instrumentation which objectives are to reduce or even stop the development of spinal deformities, maintaining growth and mobility. This device is composed of materials used in new ways, leading to friction issues that do not exist in the current spinal systems. Thus, the system required a large biomechanical study, starting from the new concept of this implant, carrying on the development of an experimental methodology, designing and prototyping and then validation through numerical, mechanical, tribological and large animal in vivo studies. In vitro characterization of the device involves characterization of material through mechanical tests, and characterization of the tribological behavior of the system. In vivo characterization consists of two studies on large animal, the Landrace pig model : a first one on pedicle screws pullout, and a second one with 2 months of implantation, to validate the concept. The initial findings from this work are positive about the correct behavior of this system. Ongoing and future studies will complement those results, and validate the system as a whole, to allow future marketing.

The retina is a thin layer of tissue lining the back of the eye and is primarily responsible for sight in vertebrates. The neural retina has a distinct layered structure with three dense nuclear layers, separated by plexiform layers comprising of axons and dendrites, and a layer of photoreceptor segments. The retinal and choroidal vasculatures nourish the retina from either side, with an avascular layer comprised largely of photoreceptor cells. Diseases that directly affect the neural retina like retinal degeneration as well as those of vascular origin like diabetic retinopathy can lead to partial or total blindness. Early detection of these diseases can potentially pave the way for a timely intervention and improve patient prognosis. Current techniques of retinal imaging rely mainly on optical techniques, which have limited depth resolution and depend mainly on the clarity of visual pathway. Magnetic resonance imaging is a versatile tool that has long been used for anatomical and functional imaging in humans and animals, and can potentially be used for retinal imaging without the limitations of optical methods. The work reported in this thesis involves the development of high resolution magnetic resonance imaging techniques for anatomical and functional imaging of the retina in rats. The rats were anesthetized using isoflurane, mechanically ventilated and paralyzed using pancuronium bromide to reduce eye motion during retinal MRI. The retina was imaged using a small, single-turn surface coil placed directly over the eye. The several physiological parameters, like rectal temperature, fraction of inspired oxygen, end-tidal CO2, were continuously monitored in all rats. MRI parameters like T1, T2, and the apparent diffusion coefficient of water molecules were determined from the rat retina at high spatial resolution and found to be similar to those obtained from the brain at the same field strength. High-resolution MRI of the retina detected the three layers in wild-type rats, which were identified as the retinal vasculature, the avascular layer and the choroidal vasculature. Anatomical MRI performed 24 hours post intravitreal injection of MnCl2, an MRI contrast agent, revealed seven distinct layers within the retina. These layers were identified as the various nuclear and plexiform layers, the photoreceptor segment layer and the choroidal vasculature using Mn54Cl2emulsion autoradiography. Blood-oxygenlevel dependent (BOLD) functional MRI (fMRI) revealed layer-specific vascular responses to hyperoxic and hypercapnic challenges. Relative blood volume of the retina calculated by using microcrystalline iron oxide nano-colloid, an intravascular contrast agent, revealed a superfluous choroidal vasculature. Fractional changes to blood volume during systemic challenges revealed a higher degree of autoregulation in the retinal vasculature compared to the choroidal vasculature, corroborating the BOLD fMRI data. Finally, the retinal MRI techniques developed were applied to detect structural and vascular changes in a rat model of retinal dystrophy. We conclude that retinal MRI is a powerful investigative tool to resolve layerspecific structure and function in the retina and to probe for changes in retinal diseases. We expect the anatomical and functional retinal MRI techniques developed herein to contribute towards the early detection of diseases and longitudinal evaluation of treatment options without interference from overlying tissue or opacity of the visual pathway.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with a spectrum of benign and malignant lymphoproliferative disorders, including acute infectious mononucleosis (IM), Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) and immunosuppression-associated B cell lymphoproliferative disease (LPD). Immunosurveillance mediated by virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes is believed to protect immunocompetent hosts from EBV-associated lymphoma and LPD. Due to the lack of an adequate animal model, however, the precise immunologic mechanisms which provide this protection have not been directly demonstrated in vivo. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cell-reconstituted C.B.-17-scid/scid mice (hu-PBMC-SCID mice) develop EBV-positive LPD following intraperitoneal injection of PBMC from EBV-seropositive donors. The SCID mouse disease mirrors human EBV-associated LPD in morphology, presence of the EBV genome, clonality, and patterns of expression of latent viral cellular differentiation antigens. The hu-PBMC-SCID mouse provides a unique small animal model of EBV+ LPD, and it was used in this study to examine the role of CD8+ CTL in controlling LPD. Survival time increase significantly when EBV-specific cytotoxic T-cell lines (CTL) are adoptive transferred into hu-PBMC-SCID mice, demonstrating suppression of LPD in vivoby a CTL-mediated virus-specific mechanism. Survival time also increases significantly with administration of alloreactive CTL lines, suggesting that a non-virus-specific mechanism also contributes to control of EBV-associated LPD by CTL. NOD-SCID mice reconstituted with PBMC from donors with latent EBV infection develop EBV+ LPD with significantly less frequency than do C.B.17-SCID mice reconstituted with PBMC from the same donors. Administration of anti-CD8 mAb to these mice depletes human CD8+ cells and increases the incidence of LPD to 100%, demonstrating that CD8+ T cells are neccessary for protection from EBV-associated LPD. Adoptive transfer of human CD8+ T cells, but not CD4+ T cells, prevents LPD in CD8-depleted NOD-SCID mice. In vivo depletion of CD4+ T cells prevents engraftment of human T cells, and LPD does not develop in most mice after CD4+ cell depletion. These studies are the first to directly demonstrate both the protective role of CD8+ T cells and a requirement for CD4+ T cells in EBV -associated LPD in an in vivo model.