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Influence of JC virus coding region genotype on risk of multiple sclerosis and progressive multifocal

H T Agostini1, C F Ryschkewitsch, R W Baumhefner

  • 1Neurotoxicology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, MD 20892, USA.

Journal of Neurovirology
|June 29, 2000
PubMed

Insights

JC virus, a neurotropic pathogen, is investigated for its role in MS-like disease. While certain genotypes are linked to PML, JC virus excretion in MS patients mirrors that of controls, suggesting other factors influence CNS disease.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology

Background:

  • JC virus (JCV) exhibits neurotropism, targeting glial cells, and can establish latency, making it a candidate for MS-like diseases.
  • JCV is shed in urine by approximately 40% of the population, with multiple coding-region genotypes identified.
  • Previous research indicated a higher prevalence of the JCV Type 2B genotype in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) brain tissue compared to urine samples from controls.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of JC virus genotypes in the pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
  • To compare the prevalence and genotypes of JC virus shed in urine by MS patients versus control individuals.
  • To explore the relationship between JC virus shedding, specific genotypes, and central nervous system (CNS) disease activity in MS.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of JC virus genotypes in urine samples from MS patients and a control population.
  • Comparison of the frequency of JC virus excretion between MS patients and controls.
  • Correlation analysis between JC virus genotype prevalence, shedding frequency, and MS disease activity.

Main Results:

  • The excretion frequency and genotype distribution of JC virus in MS patients were found to be similar to those in control individuals.
  • This contrasts with previous findings where a specific genotype (Type 2B) was overrepresented in PML brain lesions.
  • The findings suggest that JC virus shedding in MS is regulated by factors independent of those controlling CNS disease activity.

Conclusions:

  • JC virus shedding patterns in MS patients do not differ significantly from the general population.
  • The factors controlling JC virus latency and shedding in the kidneys appear distinct from those influencing its potential role in MS pathogenesis.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms, if any, by which JC virus may contribute to MS-like neurological conditions.

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