biostudies-literatureJin YHNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and StrokeNational Research Council of Science and TechnologyE1787https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7465974biostudies-literatureUnknown9(8)Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) induces immune-mediated inflammatory demyelinating disease in susceptible mice that is similar to human multiple sclerosis (MS). In light of anti-CD20 therapies for MS, the susceptibility of B cells to TMEV infection is particularly important. In our study, direct viral exposure to macrophages and lymphocytes resulted in viral replication and cellular stimulation in the order of DCs, macrophages, B cells, and T cells. Notably, B cells produced viral proteins and expressed elevated levels of CD69, an activation marker. Similarly, the expression of major histocompatibility complex class II and costimulatory molecules in B cells was upregulated. Moreover, TMEV-infected B cells showed elevated levels of antigen-presenting function and antibody prCellsInfection and Activation of B Cells by Theiler's Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus (TMEV) Leads to Autoantibody Production in an Infectious Model of Multiple Sclerosis.PMC7465974RO1 NS28752, RO1 NS33008CRC-16-01-KRICT, NSN1621350Jin YHKim CXHuang JKim BSfalseInfection and Activation of B Cells by Theiler's Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus (TMEV) Leads to Autoantibody Production in an Infectious Model of Multiple Sclerosis.Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) induces immune-mediated inflammatory demyelinating disease in susceptible mice that is similar to human multiple sclerosis (MS). In light of anti-CD20 therapies for MS, the susceptibility of B cells to TMEV infection is particularly important. In our study, direct viral exposure to macrophages and lymphocytes resulted in viral replication and cellular stimulation in the order of DCs, macrophages, B cells, and T cells. Notably, B cells produced viral proteins and expressed elevated levels of CD69, an activation marker. Similarly, the expression of major histocompatibility complex class II and costimulatory molecules in B cells was upregulated. Moreover, TMEV-infected B cells showed elevated levels of antigen-presenting function and antibody pr2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020 Jul2025-05-29T20:43:34.501Z2025-05-29T20:43:34.501ZS-EPMC74659743272703610.3390/cells9081787