Coronavirus-induced demyelination occurs in the absence of inducible nitric oxide synthase

Demyelination induced by mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), strain JHM, is in lar ge part immune mediated, but little is known about the mechanisms involved in this process. Previous results suggest that inducible nitric oxide synth ase (NOS2) contributes transiently to MHV-induced demyelination, Herein, we show that equivalent amounts of demyelination were evident at day 12 after MHV infection in mice genetically deficient in NOS2 (NOS2(-/-)) and in C57 BL/6 mice. Furthermore, using an established adoptive transfer model and ph armacological inhibitors of NOS2 function, we could demonstrate no effect o n MHV-induced demyelination. These results indicate that NOS2 function is n ot required for demyelination in mice infected with MHV.