Related Experiment Videos
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Neuropathology and virus isolation
Abstract:
Mechanism of demyelination in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) was elucidated by demonstrating ultrastructurally the relationship between the affected glial cells and myelin sheaths. The myelinating cells in the central nervous system, namely oligodendroglias, were specifically attacked by PML-virus with eventual primary destruction of myelin sheaths. An attempt to isolate PML-virus from the autopsy material was made. The presence of virus particles in the extracts from the brain, reactions of virions with antibodies and evidence of virus proliferation in the primary human fetal glial cell culture were shown by various techniques including negative staining, immunofluorescence, immunoelectron microscopy, and electron micrography. The isolated virus was antigenically identical with JC type of papovaviruses.
Insights
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) involves the JC virus attacking oligodendrocytes, leading to myelin sheath destruction. This study isolated the virus, confirming its role in PML pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Neurovirology
- Neuropathology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system.
- The exact mechanism of demyelination in PML has been under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanism of demyelination in PML.
- To identify and characterize the virus responsible for PML.
Main Methods:
- Ultrastructural analysis of affected central nervous system tissue.
- Virus isolation from autopsy material.
- Negative staining, immunofluorescence, immunoelectron microscopy, and electron micrography.
- Primary human fetal glial cell culture.
Main Results:
- Oligodendrocytes, the myelinating cells in the CNS, are specifically attacked by the PML virus.
- Primary destruction of myelin sheaths was observed.
- Virus particles were detected in brain extracts.
- Evidence of virus proliferation in glial cell cultures was obtained.
- The isolated virus was identified as JC virus, a type of papovavirus.
Conclusions:
- The JC virus directly attacks oligodendrocytes, causing demyelination in PML.
- The study successfully isolated and characterized the PML virus, confirming its etiological role.