Abstract
Mast cells within the peripheral and central nervous systems of CBA and SJL mice during Theiler's virus-induced demyelination (TVID) have been investigated. CBA mice are intermediately susceptible and SJL mice are highly susceptible to TVIID. The two mouse strains were infected with the BeAn or DA strain of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) or PBS (controls). One control mouse and two mice from each infected group (with a clinical score ranging from 2-5) were euthanized and the sciatic nerves and thalamic regions were collected for average mast cell counts. The SJL mice exhibited a higher incidence and degree of disease (based on clinical scores) than the CBA mice. SJL mice exhibited greater average numbers of mast cells within control sciatic nerves compared to CBA mice. However, CBA mice exhibited higher average number of mast cells within control thalamic regions compared to SJL mice. Within strain differences revealed that the CBA mice exhibited greater average numbers of mast cells within the sciatic nerves during DA infection of the CNS and within control and BeAn infected thalamic regions compared to SJL mice. Viewer's observations include heterogeneity among perivascular and periventricular mast cells of the thalamic regions, the presence of immature mast cells within the sciatic nerves, and possible mast cell/macrophage interactions during the demyelinating disease.
Dean, Dana D (1997). The role of mast cells in Theiler's virus-induced demyelination. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -1997 -THESIS -D43.