B-LYMPHOCYTE REQUIREMENT FOR VACCINE-MEDIATED PROTECTION FROM THEILERS MURINE ENCEPHALOMYELITIS VIRUS-INDUCED CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM DISEASE

The role of humoral immunity in the protection of vaccinated SJL/J mic e from central nervous system disease induced by the DA strain (DAV) o f Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus was investigated in B-cell- deficient mice. Mice were depleted of B cells by treatment with a mous e monoclonal antibody specific for immunoglobulin M. DAV-vaccinated, B -cell-deficient mice failed to clear viral infection and were no longe r protected from Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus-mediated cen tral nervous system disease. CD4(+) T cells are required in this model of protection to provide help for the development of an antiviral ant ibody response in the central nervous system.