The immunopathogenesis of a viral model of multiple sclerosis: Theiler's virus induced demyelination

Most studies suggest that the pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is based on immune mechanisms of myelin injury. In addition, a viral infection, possibly established in the first few years of the patient's life, may be crucial in setting the stage for such immune mediated injury when acting on the appropriate genetic background. Of the several models of virus-induced demyelination described in the last two decades, Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) infection has emerged as one of the best models for MS.