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GABAergic neuronal IL-4R mediates T cell effect on memory.

Neuron (2021-11-19)
Jasmin Herz, Zhongxiao Fu, Kyungdeok Kim, Taitea Dykstra, Morgan Wall, Huiping Li, Andrea Francesca Salvador, Bende Zou, Ni Yan, Susan M Blackburn, Patrick H Andrews, Dylan H Goldman, Zachary Papadopoulos, Igor Smirnov, Xinmin S Xie, Jonathan Kipnis
ABSTRACT

Mechanisms governing how immune cells and their derived molecules impact homeostatic brain function are still poorly understood. Here, we elucidate neuronal mechanisms underlying T cell effects on synaptic function and episodic memory. Depletion of CD4 T cells led to memory deficits and impaired long-term potentiation. Severe combined immune-deficient mice exhibited amnesia, which was reversible by repopulation with T cells from wild-type but not from IL-4-knockout mice. Behaviors impacted by T cells were mediated via IL-4 receptors expressed on neurons. Exploration of snRNA-seq of neurons participating in memory processing provided insights into synaptic organization and plasticity-associated pathways regulated by immune cells. IL-4Rα knockout in inhibitory (but not in excitatory) neurons was sufficient to impair contextual fear memory, and snRNA-seq from these mice pointed to IL-4-driven regulation of synaptic function in promoting memory. These findings provide new insights into complex neuroimmune interactions at the transcriptional and functional levels in neurons under physiological conditions.

MATERIALS
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Product Description

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Kainic Acid, An excitatory amino acid receptor agonist selective for the kainate receptor subtype (Ki = 21 nM for ³H-kainate binding in rat striatum).
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(+)-Bicuculline, ≥97.0% (TLC)
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4-Hydroxytamoxifen, ≥70% Z isomer (remainder primarily E-isomer)
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DAPI, for nucleic acid staining