PMC

Potential role of toll-like receptors (TLR) in pathogenesis of white matter injury with HPeV3 encephalitis. HPeV3, a small single-stranded (ss) RNA virus, is taken up by brain microglia and the organism’s released ssRNA binds to intracellular TLR 8 to initiate the innate immune response. The resulting release of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and proinflammatory cytokines would lead to pre-oligodendrocyte (Pre-OL) and axonal injury. Additionally the ssRNA of HPeV3, after infecting the neuron, could activate TLR 8 in the cell body but especially in the developing axon and growth cone (where TLR 8 is most abundant). The result would be axonal retraction and neuronal apoptosis (see text for details).