The pathogenesis of murine retroviral infection of the central nervous system

Several decades have lapsed since the original description of retroviral infection of the central nervous system (CNS) appeared. With the recent arrival of the autoimmune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic and the associated human retroviral encephalitis, interest in murine models has been rekindled. In most of the published studies, susceptible mouse strains are infected as neonates with molecularly cloned type-C retroviruses. In most models, a spongiform encephalopathy follows an early CNS endothelial cell infection. The subsequent pathogenesis of this encephalopathy is unknown. In some models neuronal and glial infection is seen, while in others only non-neuroglial elements are infected. This variation can be traced to differences in strains of mice and viruses in addition to differences in assays. The different models offer fertile experimental ground to decipher the role of direct versus indirect neuroglial damage. Reconciliation of these various models where the final neuropathology appears so similar, may be the key to understanding their pathogenesis.