Adult neurogenesis is unaffected by a functional knock-out of MHC class I in mice

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I has a role in the regulation of immune responses and has been implicated recently in neural plasticity and neurogenesis. We therefore sought to investigate in functional MHC class I knockout mice, transporter associated with antigen processing 1 (TAP1) KO, whether there are alterations in adult neurogenesis. We found no significant differences in cell proliferation or neurogenesis in either the dentate gyrus or subventricular zone, in TAP1 KO versus wild-type mice at several different time points. Our results do not support a role for MHC class I in adult neurogenesis, although it may still have a role in the maturation and integration of newborn neurons. NeuroReport 21:349-353 (C) 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.