At present, it is not possible to easily determine if an individual has HIVE/SIVE before post mortem examination. Methods: We have examined serum levels of the astroglial protein S100β in SIV-infected macaques and show that it can be used to determine which animals have SIVE. We also checked for correlations with inflammatory markers such as CCL2/MCP-1, IL-6 and C-reactive protein. Results: We SAR245409 molecular weight found that increased S100β protein in serum correlated with decreased expression of the tight junction protein zonula occludens-1 on

brain microvessels. Furthermore, the decrease in zonula occludens-1 expression was spatially related to SIVE lesions and perivascular deposition of plasma fibrinogen. There was no correlation between encephalitis and plasma levels of IL-6, MCP-1/CCL2 or C-reactive protein. Conclusions: Together, Selleckchem AZD1152HQPA these data indicate that SIVE lesions are associated with vascular leakage that can be determined by S100β protein in the periphery. The ability to simply monitor the presence of SIVE will greatly facilitate studies of the neuropathogenesis of AIDS. “
“Recent evidence supports the activation of mechanisms underlying cellular ageing and neurodegeneration in developmental lesions associated with epilepsy. The present study examined the ongoing cell injury and vulnerability to

neuronal degeneration in glioneuronal tumours (GNT). We evaluated a series of GNT (n= 31 gangliogliomas, GG and n= 30 dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumours, DNT). Sections were processed for immunohistochemistry using markers Oxalosuccinic acid for the evaluation of caspase-3 and neurodegeneration-related proteins/pathways and their expression was correlated with

the tumour features and the clinical history of epilepsy. Both GG and DNT specimens contained caspase-3-positive cells. In GG, expression of activated caspase-3 was negatively correlated the with the BRAF V600E mutation status. We also observed an abnormal expression of death receptor-6 and β amyloid precursor protein (APP). Moreover, dysplastic neurones expressed p62, phosphorylated (p)TDP43 and pTau. Double labelling experiments showed co-localisation of phosphorylated S6 (marker of mammalian target of rapamycin, mTOR, pathway activation) with pTau and p62. In GG, neuronal p62 expression was positively correlated with pS6. The immunoreactivity score (IRS) of caspase-3, APP, DR6, p62 and pTDP43 were found to be significantly higher in GG than in DNT. Expression of APP, DR6, pTau (in GG and DNT) and caspase-3 (in GG) positively correlated with duration of epilepsy. In GG, the expression of neuronal caspase-3, DR6 and glial p62 was associated with a worse postoperative seizure outcome.