Neurotropic Murine β-Coronavirus Infection Causes Differential Expression of Connexin 47 in Oligodendrocyte Subpopulations Associated with Demyelination.

ABSTRACT: Gap junctions (GJs) play a crucial role in the survival of oligodendrocytes and myelination of the central nervous system (CNS). In this study, we investigated the spatiotemporal changes in the expression of oligodendroglial GJ protein connexin 47 (Cx47), its primary astroglial coupling partner, Cx43, and their association with demyelination following intracerebral infection with mouse hepatitis virus (MHV). Neurotropic strains of MHV, a β-coronavirus, induce an acute encephalomyelitis followed by a chronic demyelinating disease that shares similarities with the human disease multiple sclerosis (MS). Our results reveal that Cx47 GJs are persistently lost in mature oligodendrocytes, not only in demyelinating lesions but also in surrounding normal appearing white and gray matter areas, follo

SUBMITTER: Das S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11790745 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature