Cytokines, chemokines and adhesion molecules in TMEV-IDD

Cytokines, chemokines and adhesion molecules play pivotal roles in the initiation and progression of TMEV-induced demyelinating disease. Furthermore, the same cytokines, chemokines and adhesion molecules are also important in induction of protective immune responses that are necessary to eliminate persistent viral infection. Thus, the type, level and timing of the initial responses of cytokines, chemokines and adhesion molecules upon viral infection, as well as consequent immune responses, will likely determine the pathogenic or protective outcome. The previous trials to intervene the development and progression of disease have been focused on the inflammatory Th1 responses. However, recent studies have indicated that these molecules induced directly by viral infection are important in clearing viral persistence and shaping adaptive immune responses. Therefore, investigations to block the initiation of the inflammatory responses, as the early events of cellular infiltration to CNS and cytokines/chemokines involved will be very valuable.