An early, abundant cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response against Theiler's virus is critical for preventing viral persistence.
In genetically susceptible strains of mice, the DA strain of Theiler's virus, a picornavirus, causes a persistent infection of the white matter of the spinal cord associated with chronic demyelination. In resistant strains, on the other hand, the infection is cleared within 1 to 2 weeks. In this article, we show that Theiler's virus induces a rapid and abundant cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response in resistant C57BL/6 mice, while the response remains low throughout infection in susceptible SJL/J mice. This difference can be referred to a higher number of virus-specific CTL precursors in C57BL/6 mice. These observations indicate that the efficient induction of virus-specific CTL precursors is critical for avoiding the establishment of a persistent picornaviral infection.
Dethlefs
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S
Unité des Virus Lents, ERS 572 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
Brahic
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Larsson-Sciard
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EL
D000818:Animals; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D011051:Poliomyelitis / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D017945:Theilovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D013997:Time Factors