Correlation between susceptibility to demyelination and interferon-γ induction of major histocompatibility complex class II antigens on murine cerebrovascular endothelial cells

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The induction of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class II expression was studied on cerebrovascular endothelial cells (CVE) obtained from strains of mice that are resistant (BALB/c) and susceptible (SJL and CBA) to Theiler's virus-induced demyelination (TVID). Following 24 h treatment with interferon (IFN)-γ, MHC Class II was induced on CVE derived from susceptible but not resistant strains of mice. However, IFN-γ induced the expression of MHC Class II on late passages of BALB/c CVE. These results demonstrate a correlation between susceptibility to demyelination and the ability of IFN-γ to induce the expression of MHC Class II on CVE. In susceptible strains of mice, the presence of activated, IFN-γ-secreting T cells, in the vicinity of CVE would increase the antigen-presenting capabilities of CVE and result in increased T cell traffic into the central nervous system.