Lack of effect of Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus infection on system xc−

•Unaffected xCT protein levels in RAW264.7 macrophages after TMEV infection.•Activity of system xc− unchanged in RAW264.7 macrophages after TMEV infection.•Neither early nor chronic TMEV-induced disease alters xCT protein levels in CNS.

Changes in the expression of xCT, the specific subunit of system xc− or the cystine/glutamate antiporter, have been associated with several neurological disorders and system xc− was recently proposed as a potential target for the development of new treatment strategies for multiple sclerosis (MS). In this study we used Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) infection, both in vitro and in vivo, as a model to further evaluate the involvement of system xc− in MS. Protein levels of xCT, as well as activity of system xc− were unaffected in RAW264.7 macrophages after infection with the demyelinating DA strain of TMEV. Also, protein expression of xCT remained stable in spinal cord and brain of FVB mice 1–2 and 6 weeks after intracranial injection of the DA strain of TMEV. These results demonstrate that TMEV infection of macrophages or FVB mice has no effect on system xc− and as such cannot be used as a model to study the involvement of system xc− in MS.