Central nervous system chemokine expression during Theiler's virus-induced demyelinating disease

Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus is an endemic murine pathogen that induces a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system in susceptible mouse strains. The disease is characterized by central nervous system mononuclear cell infiltration and presents as chronic, progressive paralysis. The expression of CC and C-x-C chemokines in the central nervous system of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus-infected mice was examined throughout the disease course by ELISA and RT-PCR analysis. Central nervous system expression of MCP-1 and MIP-1 alpha protein was evident by day 11 post Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus infection of SJL mice and continued throughout disease progression. MIP-1 alpha, RANTES, MCP-1, C10, IP-10, and MIP-1 beta mRNA was specifically expressed in the central nervous system and not the periphery following Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus infection. This was associated with development of clinical disease. These data suggest that the expression of multiple chemokines at particular times following viral infection is associated with demyelinating disease.