encephalitis
Virus-Cell InteractionsNF-κB Activation Promotes Alphavirus Replication in Mature NeuronsMosquito-borne alphaviruses are a significant and growing cause of viral encephalomyelitis worldwide. The outcome of alphaviral neuronal infections is host age dependent and greatly affected by neuronal maturation status, with differentiated, mature neurons being more resistant to infection than undifferentiated, immature neurons. The biological factors that change during neuronal maturation and that influence the outcome of viral...
Pathogenesis and ImmunityViral Factors Important for Efficient Replication of Influenza A Viruses in Cells of the Central Nervous SystemCentral nervous system (CNS) disease is one of the most common extrarespiratory tract complications of influenza A virus infections, and the frequency and severity differ between seasonal, pandemic, and zoonotic influenza viruses. However, little is known about the interaction of these viruses with cells of the CNS. Differences among seasonal, pandemic, and zoonotic influenza viruses in replication efficacy in CNS cells, in vitro...
Virus-Cell Interactions | SpotlightInterferon Beta Contributes to Astrocyte Activation in the Brain following Reovirus InfectionViral encephalitis is a significant cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality, and specific treatments are extremely limited. Virus infection of the brain triggers neuroinflammation; however, the role of neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of viral encephalitis is unclear. Initial neuroinflammatory responses likely contribute to viral clearance, but prolonged exposure to proinflammatory cytokines released during neuroinflammation may...
Pathogenesis and Immunity | SpotlightCD4 T Cells, CD8 T Cells, and Monocytes Coordinate To Prevent Rift Valley Fever Virus EncephalitisRVFV is found in Africa and the Middle East and is transmitted by mosquitos or through contact with infected animals. Infected individuals can develop mild disease or more severe forms, such as hepatitis or encephalitis. In order to understand why some individuals develop encephalitis, we first need to know which immune functions protect those who do not develop this form of disease. In this study, we used a mouse model of RVFV...
Pathogenesis and ImmunityReovirus Neurotropism and Virulence Are Dictated by Sequences in the Head Domain of the Viral Attachment ProteinViral encephalitis is a serious and often life-threatening inflammation of the brain. Mammalian orthoreoviruses are promising oncolytic therapeutics for humans but establish virulent, serotype-dependent disease in the central nervous system (CNS) of many young mammals. Serotype 1 reoviruses infect ependymal cells and produce hydrocephalus, whereas serotype 3 reoviruses infect neurons and cause encephalitis. Reovirus neurotropism is...
- Virus-Cell Interactions | SpotlightAxonal Transport Enables Neuron-to-Neuron Propagation of Human Coronavirus OC43
Coronaviruses may invade the CNS, disseminate, and participate in the induction of neurological diseases. Their neuropathogenicity is being increasingly recognized in humans, and the presence and persistence of human coronaviruses (HCoV) in human brains have been proposed to cause long-term sequelae. Using our mouse model relying on natural susceptibility to HCoV OC43 and neuronal cell cultures, we have defined the most relevant path...
- Pathogenesis and ImmunityPharmacologic Depletion of Microglia Increases Viral Load in the Brain and Enhances Mortality in Murine Models of Flavivirus-Induced Encephalitis
As CNS invasion by flaviviruses is a rare but life-threatening event, it is critical to understand how brain-resident immune cells elicit protection or injury during disease progression. Microglia have been shown to be important in viral clearance but may also contribute to CNS injury as part of the neuroinflammatory process. By utilizing a microglial depletion model, we can begin to parse out the exact roles of microglia during...
- Pathogenesis and ImmunityInterleukin-10 Modulation of Virus Clearance and Disease in Mice with Alphaviral Encephalomyelitis
- Pathogenesis and ImmunityPeripheral Blood Biomarkers of Disease Outcome in a Monkey Model of Rift Valley Fever Encephalitis
- Pathogenesis and Immunity | SpotlightMurine Olfactory Bulb Interneurons Survive Infection with a Neurotropic Coronavirus