GAMMA-2 HERPESVIRUS-ASSOCIATED JAPANESE MACAQUE ENCEPHALOMYELITIS

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Particular viruses, especially gamma-herpesviruses, may act as a trigger of multiple sclerosis (MS). Furthermore, there is growing evidence that susceptibility to MS may be linked to polymorphisms at certain genetic loci, including major histocompatibility complex genes and the interleukin-7 receptor-alpha gene. We have characterized a novel encephalomyelitis that occurs spontaneously in a small percentage of animals in a colony of Japanese macaques (JM) at the Oregon National Primate Research Center. The disease, called Japanese macaque encephalomyelitis (JME), occurs in both progressive and relapsing-remitting forms and is characterized by brain and spinal cord demyelination that is accompanied by extensive astrogliosis. Affected animals develop debilitating motor and ocular disturbances. Approximately 10% of the animals in this colony appear to have chronic, subclinical lesions as evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Pedigree analysis indicates that particular lineages of animals are substantially more susceptible to this disease than others, suggesting a genetic predisposition to JME. Furthermore, we have isolated a gamma-herpesvirus, referred to as Japanese macaque rhadinovirus (JMRV), from animals in this colony that is found within demyelinated JME lesions and not within unaffected regions of the brain.