The inhibitory molecule CD85/LIR-1/ILT2 has been detected previously on the surface of a small proportion of T lymphocytes. In this study, evidence is provided that, although only a fraction of CD3⁺ cells are stained by mAb specific for CD85/LIR-1/ILT2 on their surface, this inhibitory receptor is present in the cytoplasm of all T lymphocytes, and that it is detectable on the surface of all T cell clones by the M402 mAb. Biochemical analyses further demonstrate that CD85/LIR-1/ILT2 is present in all T clones analyzed, and that the protein is tyrosine-phosphorylated. Expression of mRNA coding for CD85/LIR-1/ILT2 has been assessed by RT-PCR. Notably, in the NKL cell line and in one T cell clone, amplification of the messenger required 30 cycles only, whereas, in other T cell clones, an amplification product was detected by increasing the number of cycles. CD85/LIR-1/ILT2 inhibits CD3/TCR-mediated activation in both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ clones, and it down-regulates Ag recognition by CD8⁺ cells in a clonally distributed fashion. Addition of anti-ILT2 HP-F1 mAb in the cytolytic assay enhances target cell lysis mediated by Ag-specific CTL. This could be due to interference of the mAb with receptor/ligand interactions. In contrast, HP-F1 mAb cross-linking triggers inhibitory signals that reduce cytotoxicity. CD85/LIR-1/ILT2 also controls responses to recall Ags and, in low responders, its engagement sharply increases T cell proliferation. The inhibitory function of the molecule is also confirmed by its ability to reduce CD3/TCR-induced intracellular Ca²⁺ mobilization.

The claustrum is a thin layer of gray matter that is at the center of an active scientific debate. Recently, Constrained Spherical Deconvolution (CSD) tractography has proved to be an extraordinary tool allowing to track white matter fibers from cortex to cortical and subcortical targets with subvoxel resolution. The aim of this study was to evaluate claustral connectivity in the human brain. Ten normal brains were analyzed by using the High Angular Resolution Diffusion Imaging CSD-based technique. Tractography revealed 4 groups of white matter fibers connecting the claustrum with the brain cortex: Anterior, posterior, superior, and lateral. The anterior and posterior cortico-claustral tracts connected the claustrum to prefrontal cortex and visual areas. The superior tract linked the claustrum with sensory-motor areas, while the lateral pathway connected the claustrum to the auditory cortex. In addition, we demonstrated a claustral medial pathway connecting the claustrum with the basal ganglia, specifically with caudate nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus. An interesting and exciting new finding was the demonstration of a bilateral connection between claustrum and contralateral cortical areas and a well-represented interclaustral communication with interconnection bundles interspersed within the bulk of the trunk of the corpus callosum. The physiological and pathophysiological relevance of these findings are discussed.

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The limbic system is part of an intricate network which is involved in several functions like memory and emotion. Traditionally the role of the cerebellum was considered mainly associated to motion control; however several evidences are raising about a role of the cerebellum in learning skills, emotions control, mnemonic and behavioral processes involving also connections with limbic system. In fifteen normal subjects we studied limbic connections by probabilistic Constrained Spherical Deconvolution (CSD) tractography. The main result of our work was to prove for the first time in human brain the existence of a direct cerebello-limbic pathway which was previously hypothesized but never demonstrated. We also extended our analysis to the other limbic connections including cingulate fasciculus, inferior longitudinal fasciculus, uncinated fasciculus, anterior thalamic connections and fornix. Although these pathways have been already described in the tractographic literature we provided reconstruction, quantitative analysis and FA right-left symmetry comparison using probabilistic CSD tractography that is known to provide a potential improvement compared to previously used Diffusion Tensor Imaging techniques. The demonstration of the existence of cerebello-limbic pathway could constitute an important step in the knowledge of the anatomic substrate of non-motor cerebellar functions. Finally the CSD statistical data about limbic connections in healthy subjects could be potentially useful in the diagnosis of pathological disorders damaging this system.

Periodontal disease is characterized by inflammation and bone loss. The balance between inflammatory mediators and their counter-regulatory molecules may be fundamental for determining the outcome of immune pathology of periodontal disease. Cytokines play crucial roles in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis, a process which requires a delicate balance between anabolic and catabolic activities. In particular, two families of growth factors-such as transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are thought to play important roles in modulating the proliferation and/or migration of structural cells involved in inflammation and regulation of immune responses. The aim of this work was to analyze gingival samples and periodontal tissue specimens collected from thirty-eight patients with chronic periodontal disease and from forty healthy individuals, in order to detect the expression and distribution of TGF-β1 and VEGF between the two groups. TGF-β1 and VEGF expression levels were detected using immunohistochemical analysis and computer-assisted morphometric analysis. The findings presented here suggest that biomarker such as TGF-β1 and VEGF have an important regulating role in the orchestration of the immune response, which in turn influence the outcome of disease establishment and evolution.