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Gliotoxicity, reverse transcriptase activity and retroviral RNA in monocyte/macrophage culture supernatants from patients with multiple sclerosis
Author(s) -
Ménard Armelle,
Amouri Rim,
Michel Marlène,
Marcel Frédérique,
Brouillet Arthur,
Belliveau James,
Geny Christian,
Deforges Lionel,
Malcus-Vocanson Carine,
Armstrong Marilyn,
Lyon-Caen Olivier,
Mandrand Bernard,
Dobránsky Tomás,
Rieger François,
Perron Hervé
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(97)00889-2
Subject(s) - reverse transcriptase , multiple sclerosis , neuropathology , macrophage , microglia , cell culture , rna , monocyte , biology , chemistry , immunology , medicine , in vitro , inflammation , gene , biochemistry , genetics , pathology , disease
In investigating a possible link between a novel retroviral agent (provisionally called MSRV), recently characterised in multiple sclerosis (MS), and the neuropathology of MS, it was found that there was a significant correlation between gliotoxicity and reverse transcriptase activity in monocyte/macrophage culture supernatants (MMCS) unique to MS patients. MMCS from healthy controls and patients with other neurological diseases did not display either gliotoxicity or reverse transcriptase activity. The observed gliotoxic effect was an initial, intermediate filament network disorganization and subsequent cell death which was specific to astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The reverse transcriptase activity and MSRV‐specific RNA were observed during the first 2 weeks of culture in MMCS from patients with active MS. The further elucidation of the molecular form(s) of this gliotoxic factor and its original source may be crucial in elucidating important etiopathogenic mechanisms in MS.