Functional requirement for class I MHC in CNS development and plasticity

G. S. Huh, L. M. Boulanger, H. Du, P. A. Riquelme, T. M. Brotz, C. J. Shatz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

684 Scopus citations

Abstract

Class I major histocompatibility complex (class I MHC) molecules, known to be important for immune responses to antigen, are expressed also by neurons that undergo activity-dependent, long-term structural and synaptic modifications. Here, we show that in mice genetically deficient for cell surface class I MHC or for a class I MHC receptor component, CD3ζ, refinement of connections between retina and central targets during development is incomplete. In the hippocampus of adult mutants, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) is enhanced, and long-term depression (LTD) is absent. Specific class I MHC messenger RNAs are expressed by distinct mosaics of neurons, reflecting a potential for diverse neuronal functions. These results demonstrate an important role for these molecules in the activity-dependent remodeling and plasticity of connections in the developing and mature mammalian central nervous system (CNS).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2155-2159
Number of pages5
JournalScience
Volume290
Issue number5499
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 15 2000
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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