The pathomechanisms of virus-induced demyelination
Ohara, Y.
Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine 52(11): 2906-2911
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0047-1852 PMID: 7996688 Document Number: 439057
The pathomechanisms of virus-induced demyelination have been widely studied, especially in animal models, in order to elucidate the pathogenesis of a human demyelinating disease, multiple sclerosis. The recent development of molecular biology has partially defined the genomic segment responsible for demyelination in some viruses. It is, however, still unclear, how such a segment causes demyelination. Three main issues have been addressed regarding the mechanisms of demyelination, i.e., oligodendrocyte lytic viral infection, immune-mediated demyelination with oligodendrocyte viral infection, and immune-mediated demyelination without oligodendrocyte viral infection. Immune responses of the host are, therefore, critical, as well as viral replication and propagation in virus-induced demyelination.