The Role of Chemokines during Viral Infection of the CNS

Hosking, Martin P.; Lane, Thomas E.

From this brief review, it is evident that the biological roles of chemokines in host defense and/or disease in response to viral infection of the CNS are constantly evolving. An emerging picture has developed that indicates that chemokines and their receptors are intimately involved in generation of effective host responses to viral infections within the CNS. Paradoxically, chemokine expression has also been associated with neuropathology. Thus, chemokines and/or chemokine receptors are potentially relevant targets for treating various viral-induced neuropathies by dampening specific biological functions associated with disease. Recent evidence has emerged implicating chemokines, specifically CCR5 are attracted by the chemokines CXCL10 and CCL5, respectively, and mediate viral control through direct cytolytic activity and/or cytokine secretion. CXCL12, which signals through CXCR4, may, however, sequester T lymphocytes within the perivascular space and regulate penetration of the parenchyma, thus inhibiting efficient viral clearance. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1000937.g001 CXCR4 and CXCL12, as important mediators of neurogenesis [34] ; thus, chemokines produced during viral infections may influence neural precursor cell function and therefore influence recovery and repair. We can only look forward to future research that will undoubtedly uncover new and exciting roles for the chemokines in host defense, disease, and recovery within the context of the virally infected CNS.