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Apoptotic cells, including macrophages, are prominent in Theiler's virus-induced inflammatory, demyelinating lesions

Brian P Schlitt1, Matthew Felrice, Mary Lou Jelachich

  • 1Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA.

Journal of Virology
|March 14, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) causes apoptosis in the mouse central nervous system, primarily affecting T cells within inflammatory lesions. Viral RNA was detected in a small fraction of these apoptotic cells.

Area of Science:

  • Neurovirology
  • Immunology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) establishes persistent infections in the mouse central nervous system (CNS).
  • Macrophages are the primary cell type harboring TMEV in the CNS, and TMEV-infected macrophages exhibit apoptosis in vitro.
  • Apoptotic cells are observed in the CNS during chronic TMEV infection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the cellular composition of apoptotic cells within the CNS of TMEV-infected mice.
  • To determine the presence of viral RNA in apoptotic cells during chronic TMEV infection.

Main Methods:

  • Histological examination of CNS lesions from chronically TMEV-infected SJL mice.
  • Identification of apoptotic cells using morphological criteria.
  • Cellular typing of apoptotic cells (T cells, macrophages, astrocytes).
  • In situ hybridization to detect viral RNA within apoptotic cells.

Main Results:

  • Abundant apoptotic cells were found in perivascular cuffs and inflammatory, demyelinating lesions.
  • T cells constituted the majority (74%) of apoptotic cells, followed by macrophages (8%) and astrocytes (0.6%).
  • Viral RNA was detected in approximately 1% of the identified apoptotic cells.

Conclusions:

  • T cells are significantly involved in apoptosis within the CNS during chronic TMEV infection.
  • While macrophages harbor the virus, T cells are the predominant apoptotic cell type in lesions.
  • The low percentage of viral RNA in apoptotic cells suggests complex mechanisms of cell death and viral persistence.

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