Abstract
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. Centralnervous system expression of MCP-1 and MIP-la protein was evident by day 11post Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus infection of SJL mice andcontinued throughout disease progression. MIP-la, RANTES, MCP-1, C10, IP-10, and MIP-lD mRNA was specifically expressed in the central nervous systemand not the periphery following Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virusinfection. This was associated with development of clinical disease. These datasuggest that the expression of multiple chemokines at particular timesfollowing viral infection is associated with demyelinating disease.