title: Clearance of virus infection from the CNS.
abstract: Viruses that cause encephalomyelitis infect neurons and recovery from infection requires noncytolytic clearance of virus from the nervous system to avoid damaging these irreplaceable cells. Several murine model systems of virus infection have been used to identify clearance mechanisms. Quantitative analysis of Sindbis virus clearance over 6 months shows three phases: day 5-7, clearance of infectious virus, but continued presence of viral RNA; day 8-60, decreasing levels of viral RNA; day 60-180, maintenance of viral RNA at low levels. Antiviral antibody and interferon-γ have major roles in clearance with a likely role for IgM as well as IgG antibody. Long-term residence of virus-specific immune cells in the nervous system is necessary to prevent virus reactivation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg, School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. dgriffin@jhsph.edu
authors.forename: Diane E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.forename: Talibah
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Metcalf
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D018406:Virus Physiological Phenomena; D014780:Viruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*