[Infection of the mouse by Theiler's virus; a model for the study of demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system].

The infection of mouse by Theiler's virus is a model for the study of persistent infections of the central nervous system accompanied with primary demyelination. The pathogenesis of this disease has been studied at the molecular level. The viral capsid controls the migration of the virus from the neurons to the glial cells of the white matter. A region of the capsid, which is responsible for this control, has been identified. The susceptibility of mice to this persistent infection is determined by at least three genes, one of which, H-2D, has been identified. Two other genes have been mapped; one linked to the gene coding for gamma interferon, the other one to the gene coding for the myelin basic protein. The role of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the resistance to persistent infection has been demonstrated. Taken together, these results illustrate how mutations in a ubiquitous virus may cause, in individuals which are genetically susceptible, a persistent infection and a chronic inflammatory disease. Similar situations could exist in man.