Involvement of CD4+ cells in the protection of C58 mouse against polioencephalomyelitis induced by lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus.
Immunosuppression, occurring naturally with aging, or experimentally after cyclophosphamide treatment or irradiation, is required for the development in C58 mice infected with lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus (LDV) of a severe polioencephalomyelitis that is caused by viral destruction of anterior horn neurons. Here it is shown that depletion of T helper lymphocytes by administration of an anti-CD4 antibody was followed by a progressive paralysis typical of polioencephalomyelitis in C58/J mice inoculated with a neurovirulent strain of LDV. Although it was clear that other cell subsets are also required to assure complete protection of genetically-susceptible mice, our results show that T helper lymphocytes play a major role in the prevention of LDV-induced polioencephalomyelitis. The mechanisms by which these cells confer this protection remain however to be determined.
Monteyne
P
P
Unit of Experimental Medicine, International Institute for Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Université Catholique de Louvain, Bruxelles, Belgium.
Meite
M
M
Coutelier
J P
JP
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies; D018174:Arterivirus Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D002494:Central Nervous System Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007772:Lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains
D000906:Antibodies