Upregulation of COX-2 and CGRP expression in resident cells of the Borna disease virus-infected brain is dependent upon inflammation

Infection of immunocompetent adult rats with Borna disease virus (BDV) caus es severe encephalitis and neural dysfunction. The expression of COX-2 and CORP, genes previously shown to be implicated in CNS disease and peripheral inflammation, was dramatically upregulated in the cortical neurons of acut ely BDV-infected rats. Neuronal COX-2 and CGRP upregulation was predominant ly seen in brain areas where ED1-positive macrophages/microglia accumulated . In addition, COX-2 expression was strongly induced in brain endothelial c ells and the number of COX-2 immunoreactive microglial cells was increased. In contrast, despite increased expression of viral antigens, neither COX-2 nor CGRP expression was altered in the CNS of BDV-infected rats treated wi th dexamethasone, or tolerant to BDV. Thus, increased CGRP and COX-2 expres sion in the BDV-infected brain is the result of the inflammatory response a nd likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of virus-induced encephalitis. (C) Press Academic Press.