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Published on: March 2, 2014
In vivo administration of TNF-alpha prevents EMC-M virus induced viral encephalitis
S Sriram1, D J Topham, L Carroll
1Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington 05405.
Abstract:
EMC-M virus causes a monophasic paralytic syndrome characterized by encephalitic lesions in the brain and patchy demyelinating lesions in the spinal cord and nerve roots of BALB/c mice. Since the replication of EMC virus in vitro is inhibited by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha we have studied the effect of in vivo administration of this cytokine on the acute disease. Our studies show that periodic administration of TNF-alpha to animals infected with EMC-M reduces viral titers in the brain, and decreases the degree of clinical paralysis and the severity of the inflammatory lesions in the brain.
Insights
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) administration reduced EMC-M virus replication in mice. This treatment decreased paralysis and inflammatory brain lesions, offering a potential therapeutic strategy for viral encephalitis.
Area of Science:
- Neurovirology
- Immunology
Background:
- Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMC-M) causes paralytic syndrome with brain and spinal cord lesions in BALB/c mice.
- Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibits EMC virus replication in vitro.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic potential of in vivo TNF-alpha administration on EMC-M viral disease.
Main Methods:
- BALB/c mice infected with EMC-M virus received periodic administrations of TNF-alpha.
- Viral titers, clinical paralysis, and inflammatory lesion severity in the brain were assessed.
Main Results:
- TNF-alpha administration reduced EMC-M viral titers in the brain.
- Clinical paralysis and the severity of brain inflammatory lesions were decreased.
- The treatment demonstrated a protective effect against EMC-M-induced neuropathology.
Conclusions:
- In vivo TNF-alpha administration is a promising therapeutic approach for EMC-M viral infections.
- Targeting TNF-alpha may mitigate neuropathology and clinical symptoms associated with EMC-M encephalitis.
