Prevention and therapy of JC polyomavirus-mediated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy – a realistic possibility?

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a serious opportunistic infection of the brain caused by the JC polyomavirus (JCPyV). PML occurs when immune control of persistent infection with JCPyV fails, the virus mutates and changes its cellular tropism, enters the brain and infects astroc...

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Main Authors: Ivan Jelcic, Benoit Combaluzier, Ilijas Jelcic, Mireia Sospedra, Jan Grimm, Roland Martin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SMW supporting association (Trägerverein Swiss Medical Weekly SMW) 2017-10-01
Series:Swiss Medical Weekly
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.smw.ch/index.php/smw/article/view/2388
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author Ivan Jelcic
Benoit Combaluzier
Ilijas Jelcic
Mireia Sospedra
Jan Grimm
Roland Martin
author_facet Ivan Jelcic
Benoit Combaluzier
Ilijas Jelcic
Mireia Sospedra
Jan Grimm
Roland Martin
author_sort Ivan Jelcic
collection DOAJ
description Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a serious opportunistic infection of the brain caused by the JC polyomavirus (JCPyV). PML occurs when immune control of persistent infection with JCPyV fails, the virus mutates and changes its cellular tropism, enters the brain and infects astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and, in particular cases, also neurones. Currently, there is no therapy for this often fatal disease. A number of approaches have failed, and only the restoration of protective immunity, if possible, can lead to clearance of the virus once PML has occurred. During the last two decades, investigators have attempted to understand the factors contributing to the development of PML, which immune mechanisms are involved in immune surveillance, and which in clearing JCPyV from the brain once PML has occurred. Recent data suggest that both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells of the cellular immune system, and also JCPyV-specific antibodies, are involved in protection against PML and in resolving the opportunistic infection. Based on the current immunological data, prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination strategies have been proposed, and first treatment attempts in PML patients have provided promising results that indicate therapeutic vaccination may be feasible.
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spelling doaj.art-4bd98960a05b45c7964ac7e9157dbbda2022-12-22T03:55:41ZengSMW supporting association (Trägerverein Swiss Medical Weekly SMW)Swiss Medical Weekly1424-39972017-10-01147434410.4414/smw.2017.14520Prevention and therapy of JC polyomavirus-mediated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy – a realistic possibility?Ivan Jelcic0Benoit Combaluzier1Ilijas Jelcic2Mireia Sospedra3Jan Grimm4Roland Martin5Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Section, Department of Neurology, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, SwitzerlandNeurimmune Holding AG, Schlieren, SwitzerlandNeuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Section, Department of Neurology, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, SwitzerlandNeuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Section, Department of Neurology, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, SwitzerlandNeurimmune Holding AG, Schlieren, SwitzerlandNeuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Section, Department of Neurology, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a serious opportunistic infection of the brain caused by the JC polyomavirus (JCPyV). PML occurs when immune control of persistent infection with JCPyV fails, the virus mutates and changes its cellular tropism, enters the brain and infects astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and, in particular cases, also neurones. Currently, there is no therapy for this often fatal disease. A number of approaches have failed, and only the restoration of protective immunity, if possible, can lead to clearance of the virus once PML has occurred. During the last two decades, investigators have attempted to understand the factors contributing to the development of PML, which immune mechanisms are involved in immune surveillance, and which in clearing JCPyV from the brain once PML has occurred. Recent data suggest that both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells of the cellular immune system, and also JCPyV-specific antibodies, are involved in protection against PML and in resolving the opportunistic infection. Based on the current immunological data, prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination strategies have been proposed, and first treatment attempts in PML patients have provided promising results that indicate therapeutic vaccination may be feasible. https://www.smw.ch/index.php/smw/article/view/2388active and passive vaccinationJC polyomavirusprogressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)
spellingShingle Ivan Jelcic
Benoit Combaluzier
Ilijas Jelcic
Mireia Sospedra
Jan Grimm
Roland Martin
Prevention and therapy of JC polyomavirus-mediated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy – a realistic possibility?
Swiss Medical Weekly
active and passive vaccination
JC polyomavirus
progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)
title Prevention and therapy of JC polyomavirus-mediated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy – a realistic possibility?
title_full Prevention and therapy of JC polyomavirus-mediated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy – a realistic possibility?
title_fullStr Prevention and therapy of JC polyomavirus-mediated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy – a realistic possibility?
title_full_unstemmed Prevention and therapy of JC polyomavirus-mediated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy – a realistic possibility?
title_short Prevention and therapy of JC polyomavirus-mediated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy – a realistic possibility?
title_sort prevention and therapy of jc polyomavirus mediated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy a realistic possibility
topic active and passive vaccination
JC polyomavirus
progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)
url https://www.smw.ch/index.php/smw/article/view/2388
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