Once initiated, viral encephalitis-induced seizures are consistent no matter the treatment or lack of interleukin-6

J Neurovirol. 2011 Oct;17(5):496-9. doi: 10.1007/s13365-011-0050-5. Epub 2011 Aug 11.

Abstract

Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus infection of C57BL/6 mice results in acute behavioral seizures in 50% of the mice. Treatment of infected mice with minocycline or infection of interleukin (IL)-6-deficient chimeric mice results in a significant decrease in the number of mice developing seizures. However, in those mice that do develop seizures, the pathological changes (neuronal cell loss, inflammation [perivascular cuffing, gliosis, activated microglia/macrophages]), and the numbers of virus infected cells in minocycline-treated or IL-6-deficient chimeric mice are very similar. Therefore, once seizures develop, the pathological changes are consistent regardless of the treatment or genetic background.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / cytology
  • Astrocytes / metabolism
  • Cardiovirus Infections / complications*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gliosis / pathology
  • Interleukin-6 / deficiency*
  • Macrophages / pathology
  • Macrophages / virology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Microglia / pathology
  • Microglia / virology
  • Minocycline / therapeutic use
  • Seizures / drug therapy
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Seizures / pathology*
  • Seizures / virology
  • Theilovirus / pathogenicity*

Substances

  • Interleukin-6
  • Minocycline