Modulation of the cellular immune response to intracerebral lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection in mice.

Certain viruses do not kill the cells they infect. The immunological response of the host in such situations may be involved in the development of pathologic changes and clinical illness. Pioneering work by Rowe has shown that death associated with acute LCMV infection in the mouse is resulted from the immune response. Many investigators using a variety of techniques including neonatal thymectomy, irradiation, or treatment of adult mice with antilymphoid drugs or antithymocyte sera have confirmed and extended Rowe's observations. The study of LCMV and the disease it causes in its natural murine host has provided the initial findings that open new fields in viral immunobiology, viral immunopathology, and cell-cell recognition.