Expression of MHC class I heavy chain and beta2-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 beta2-microglobulin mRNAs. These neurons also display interferon-gamma receptor 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).