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Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Neuropathology and virus isolation
Acta Pathologica Japonica
|November 1, 1981
Summary
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.