CXCL10 expressing hematopoietic-derived cells are requisite in defense against HSV-1 infection in the nervous system of CXCL10 deficient mice

The chemokine CXCL10 is crucial for the control of viral replication through the regulation of mobilization of antigen-specific T cells to sites of infection. CXCL10 is highly expressed both at sites of inflammation as well as constitutively within lymphoid organs by both bone marrow (BM)-derived and non-BM-derived cells. However, the relative immunologic importance of CXCL10 expressed by these divergent sources relative to HSV-1 infection is unknown. Using mouse chimeras reconstituted with either wild type or CXCL10 deficient mouse BM, we show BM-derived, radiation-sensitive cells from wild type mice were solely responsible for resistance to HSV-1 in the trigeminal ganglia and brain stem. The resistance was not reflected by a deficiency in the recruitment of effector cells to sites of inflammation or expression of chemokines or IFN-gamma and likely results from additional, yet-to-be-determined factors emanating from wild type, BM-derived cells.