The central nervous system (CNS) is a major target for acute encephalitic viral infections, as well as a reservoir of latent/persisting viruses. Whileeffective immune control of persisting viruses in immunocompetent individuals is reflected by the absence of overt neurological deficits or pathology, this balance is highly tenuous. Studies supported by this award were the first to demonstrate that intrathecal antibody secreting cells (ASC) were critical to control CNS viral persistence even despite early T cell mediated control and presence of anti-viral serum antibody (Ab). We have also defined the regulation of ACS recruitment into the CNS by identifying the crucial chemokine receptor and chemokine. The reliance on local ASC for prolonged Ab output during neurotropic coronavirus infection is a critical observation, as it provides a potent non lytic mechanism of sustained immune control applicable to numerous neurotropic infections. Indeed, a vital local protective role of ASC is supported by other experimental CNS infections, particularly by RNA viruses such as Sindbis, Semliki Forest, and Rabies viruses. Intrathecal Ab synthesis is also well documented in humans during infections associated with neurological complications and the demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis (MS). However, virtually nothing is known about the origin, maintenance, and relevance of ASC in the CNS or other specialized microenvironments. The overall goal is to define the regulation of protective, yet minimally destructive ASC within the CNS, to combat infections where virus replicates in the CNS in the absence of overt blood brain barrier damage or inflammatory signals.
The Specific Aims are to 1) determine the role of CNS resident cells in mediating ASC entry and localization within the CNS; and 2) determine the relative contribution of migratory ASC versus circulating, non Ab secreting memory B cells in maintaining ASC within the CNS. In situ hybridization combined with confocal microscopy in Aim 1 will determine the spatial relationship between chemokines, viral antigen, ASC localization and the microvasculature. The results will further reveal a central role of astrocytes in regulating ASC recruitment.
Aim 2 uses transgenic mice in which germinal center derived ASC and memory B cells are phenotypically marked, to specifically test the role of virus specific B cells in contributing to ASC maintenance during chronic CNS infection. Adoptive transfers will define whether the initial burst of ASC in the CNS is sufficient to sustain local protective capacity. Non of these parameters have been studied during viral or autoimmune encephalomyelitis. The ability to trace ASC and Bmem using transgenic markers provides a versatile innovative approach to dissect humoral immunity in a non-lymphoid organ prone to persisting infection. The contribution of peripherally activated B cells rather than lymphoid tissue neogenesis, in sustaining intrathecal humoral responses during persistent infections associated with limited ongoing inflammation will be beneficial for understanding protective responses during human CNS infections caused by measles virus, rubella virus, JC virus, and HIV.
The central nervous system (CNS) is a major target for numerous acute encephalitic viral infections, as well as a reservoir of latent/persisting viruses. Antibody secreting cells (ASC) in the CNS provide an effective protective component in controlling persistent CNS infections. The overall goals of this proposal are to determine how resident CNS cells contribute to ASC entry into the CNS and to determine the relative contribution of distinct B cell subsets to long term ASC survival and antiviral function. Insights into the precursor B cells giving rise to ASC in the CNS are essential for vaccination and therapeutic treatment of viral encephalitis and chronic inflammation.
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