Neuroinflammation and Virus Replication in the Spinal Cord of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected Macaques

In this study, lumbar spinal cords from SIV-infected pigtailed macaques were examined to quantify SIV replication and associated neuroinflammation. In untreated SIV-infected animals, there was a strong correlation between amount of SIV RNA in the spinal cord and expression of the macrophage marker CD68 and the key proinflammatory mediators tumor necrosis factor and CCL2. We also found a significant correlation between SIV-induced alterations in the spinal cord and the degree of distal epidermal nerve fiber loss among untreated animals. Spinal cord changes (including elevated glial fibrillary acidic protein immunostaining and enhanced CCL2 gene expression) also were present in SIV-infected antiretroviral drug–treated animals despite SIV suppression. A fuller understanding of the complex virus and host factor dynamics in the spinal cord during human immunodeficiency virus infection will be critical in the development of new treatments for human immunodeficiency virus–associated sensory neuropathies and studies aimed at eradicating the virus from the central nervous system.
Source: Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology - Category: Neurology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research