Response from schulz and moore

Chemical Lesion of the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis Blocks the Behavioral Consequences of Uncontrollable Stress

Uncontrollable or inescapable shock (IS) produces behavioral changes that are characterized by a sensitized fear system and a deficit in fight-flight responding. These behavioral changes have been argued to represent an anxiety-like state produced by the uncontrollability of the stressor. The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) has been implicated in the mediation of long-duration responses to unpredictable stressors, which have also been argued to represent anxiety. In the present study, the effects of BNST chemical lesion on the IS-induced sensitization of freezing to an environment previously paired with shock and the IS-induced impairment of escape responding were investigated. BNST chemical lesion blocked the potentiation of freezing and the increases in escape latency that normally follow IS.

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus-encoded interleukin-6

Since the discovery of the virus in 1994, the rapid pace with which Karposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) research has progressed has quickly led to a broad understanding of the structure of the virus and its biology and pathology in humans. Molecular piracy of potentially useful cellular genes has emerged as a characteristic feature of this virus. The viral homolog of human IL-6, vIL-6 is an example in kind. Studies in vitro and in vivo have shown that vIL-6 can stimulate the growth of KSHV-infected primary infusion lymphoma (PEL) cells, can promote hematopoiesis, and act as an angiogenic factor through the induction of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). It is not difficult to envision how vIL-6, through these properties and perhaps others yet to be identified, can contribute to KSHV survival and spread in the human population.