Expression of MHC class I heavy chain and beta 2-microglobulin in rat brainstem motoneurons and nigral dopaminergic neurons

We demonstrate here that motoneurons and nigral dopaminergic neurons in the brainstem of the adult rat, with the exception of motoneurons innervating ocular muscles, display high levels of both MHC class I heavy chain and bet a 2-microglobulin mRNAs. These neurons also display interferon-gamma recept or mRNA. We find it striking that these particular neurons are those which are vulnerable to neurodegeneration in diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B. V. All rights reserved.