Apoptosis in measles virus-infected human central nervous system tissues

S. McQuaid, J. McMahon, B. Herron, S. L. Cosby

Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer)Articlepeer-review

51 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The extent of apoptotic cell death was examined incentral nervous system (CNS) tissues from three cases of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). Apoptosis was demonstrated by in situ end-labelling of DNA in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Measles virus and cell types were labelled by immunohistochemistry and/or in situ hybridization. Furthermore, bcl-2 expression in SSPE was examined by immunohistochemistry. All three cases exhibited varying degrees of apoptosis in all CNS areas studied. Brain tissue from a non-neurological control case did not show any significant apoptosis. Characterization of cell types demonstrated neurons, oligodendrocytes, lymphocytes and microglia undergoing apoptosis. A linear relationship could not be established between virus burden and the extent of apoptosis in any particular area. Virus-negative cells were observed which were undergoing apoptosis. Bcl-2 immunoreactivity in SSPE was confined to the infiltrating cell population. These results suggest that apoptosis of various cell types may contribute to the neuropathogenesis of measles virus infection in the human CNS, either as a direct effect of viral infection or by cytokine-mediated responses.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)218-224
Number of pages7
JournalNeuropathology and Applied Neurobiology
Volume23
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1997
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Apoptosis
  • Bcl-2
  • CNS
  • In situ end-labelling
  • Measles virus

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