Sequential changes in serum cytokines and chemokines in a rat model of Japanese encephalitis.
OBJECTIVE
The mechanisms underlying inflammation and immune responses in viral encephalitis are not fully understood. Therefore, in the present study we aimed to investigate the cytokine and chemokine levels in Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV)-infected rats.


METHODS
Twelve-day-old Wistar rats were infected with 3 x 10(6) plaque-forming units of JEV intracerebrally. Cytokine and chemokine levels were analyzed in serum 3, 6, 10 and 20 days post inoculation (dpi).


RESULTS
There were increased levels of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and a chemokine (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) in the serum of rats after JEV infection compared to controls. The levels of cytokines and chemokine peaked at 10 dpi and had declined significantly by 20 dpi. The neurological deficit also increased in the acute stage of disease and partially recovered thereafter.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum cytokine and chemokine levels decline at 10 dpi and do not significantly correlate with neurological dysfunction.
Department of Neurology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India. drukmisra@rediffmail.com
Usha Kant
UK
Misra
Ruchi
R
Srivastava
Jayantee
J
Kalita
Mohammad Yahiya
MY
Khan
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D018925:Chemokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018450:Disease Progression; D004664:Encephalitis Virus, Japanese / Q000276:immunology*; D004672:Encephalitis, Japanese / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators