MARKED INCREASES IN CONCENTRATIONS OF APOLIPOPROTEIN IN THE CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID OF POLIOVIRUS-INFECTED MACAQUES - RELATIONS BETWEEN APOLIPOPROTEIN CONCENTRATIONS AND SEVERITY OF BRAIN INJURY

Apolipoproteins in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) might have important func tional roles in the pathophysiology of brain and lipid metabolism in t he vascular component. The present study examined apolipoprotein A-I ( ape-A-I) and apolipoprotein E (apo-E) levels in CSF and serum from pol iovirus-infected macaques. Poliovirus-infected macaques developed moto r deficits and were classified into three groups: (1) muscle weakness in one or both legs; (2) partial paralysis in one or both legs; (3) co mplete paralysis in one or both legs. No motor deficits were evident i n the control or sham-treated macaques. Ape-A-I concentrations in CSF were markedly elevated in poliovirus-infected macaques with weakness, partial or complete paralysis, in comparison with either control or sh am-treated animals, and were proportional to the severity of motor imp airment. Apo-E concentrations in CSF were also significantly elevated in poliovirus-infected macaques with complete paralysis. The magnitude of increase in CSF apo-A-I or apo-E concentrations was also closely a ssociated with the degree of histologic neurological damage and inflam mation (lesion scores). However, no changes in serum ape-A-I and apo-E concentrations were observed in the poliovirus-infected macaques comp ared with control macaques. Furthermore there were no significant corr elations ape-A-I or apo-E concentrations between serum and CSF. We hyp othesize that the elevation of ape-A-I and apo-E concentrations after poliovirus infection is caused by immune stimulation within the centra l nervous system (CNS). Measures of CSF ape-A-I and apo-E levels might serve as a useful marker for the severity and/or the range of CNS inj ury.