It is well known that SJL mice are susceptible to Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV)-induced demyelinating disease while C57BL6 (B6) and B10 mice are resistant, and H-2s on a B10 background (B10.S) contributes modestly to susceptibility. A recent study linked two IRF3 non-conservative mutations in SJL compared to B10.S mice to resistance to TMEV infection of SJL peritoneal-derived macrophages, an observation of practical interest in light of the central role of IRF3 transcription factor in the type I interferon (IFN) response. However, we did not find these non-conservative mutations among SJL, B10.S, B6 and B10 mice in the IRF3 amino acid sequence, and show SJL bone marrow-derived macrophages infected with TMEV exhibit increased virus RNA replication and infectious virus yields as well as greater IL-6 production than C57Bl strain (including B10.S) cultures.
Keywords: IRF3; Macrophages; Picornavirus; Theiler's virus; Virus persistence.
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