CHARACTERIZATION OF RETROVIRUSES FROM PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS

These studies were performed to characterize retroviruses found in cel l lines spontaneously developed from peripheral blood mononuclear cell s (PBMNC) from 6 multiple sclerosis patients, a patient with progressi ve myelopathy and a healthy control. The cell lines are B-lymphoblasto id and produce Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) particles or express EBV prote ins. The B-lymphoblastoid cell lines are also characterized by product ion of low, fluctuating amounts of retrovirus. The low productivity co mplicates purification and characterization, but implementation of pro duct-enhanced reverse transcriptase (PERT) assays has provided a highl y useful tool for monitoring retrovirus production. By electron micros copy, the retroviral particles appear type-C-like. Functional assays i ndicate the presence of Pol, Gag and Env. Indirect ELISA demonstrates a significant relation between disease activity and reactivity towards retroviral peptides. Molecular characterization is primarily based on RT-PCR, cloning, sequencing and Northern- or Southern analyses. Molec ular characterization is continuing.