Involvement of microglial CD40 in murine retrovirus-induced peripheral neuropathy.

B6 mice infected with LP-BM5 develop severe immunodeficiency (termed murine acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (MAIDS)) and peripheral neuropathy. To determine whether microglial CD40 is involved in LP-BM5-induced peripheral neuropathy, B6-CD40 knockout (KO) mice and B6-CD40 KO mice adoptively transferred either total leukocytes or B cells were examined for behavioral sensitivity, tissue viral loads, cytokine responses, and the development of MAIDS. All three CD40 KO groups developed MAIDS, the severity of which was correlated with peripheral cytokine responses. CD40 KO mice displayed significantly reduced mechanical hypersensitivity post-infection compared to wild-type mice regardless of cell transfer. These findings support microglial CD40 involvement in LP-BM5-induced peripheral neuropathy.