Abstract: The present invention relates PirB expression and function in nervous tissue. PirB expressed in neurons acts to restrict plasticity of neural circuits, and/or, restrict competition between circuits with different activity patterns or levels, for cortical representation. Thus, the present invention relates to methods of increasing nervous system plasticity and associated disorders and diseases in a subject comprising administering to the subject an agent which modulates the activity, signal transduction or expression of PirB in neurons of the subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the interactions between MHC Class I molecules and Co-expressed Proteins within the same cell (i.e., cis interaction). These interactions affect overt functional cellular processes by way of influencing protein trafficking and/or signal transduction. For example, in the nervous system, MHC Class I/Co-expressed Protein Interactions can have functional consequences affecting normal brain development, neuronal differentiation, synaptic plasticity and other physiological events. The polymorphic nature of the MHC Class I molecules imparts multiple differences among individuals with regard to the ability of an individual's MHC Class I molecules to interact with specific Co-expressed Proteins and affect cellular function—including the extent to which an individual's inherited MHC Class I haplotypes can affect that individual's specific development, susceptibility to developing diseases and/or their ability to respond to cellular loss, disruption or damage.