The dual role of CD8+ T lymphocytes in the development of stress-induced herpes simplex encephalitis.

Despite the generally restrictive nature of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), circulating lymphocytes can infiltrate into the central nervous system (CNS) during a variety of disease states. Although the contributions of these lymphocytes to CNS-associated disease have been identified in some viral models, the factors which govern this infiltration following herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection remain to be elucidated. We have developed a murine model of HSV encephalitis (HSE) to define the relationship among psychological stress, the recruitment of HSV-specific T cells into the CNS, and the development of HSE.