Presenter Status
Staff
Abstract Type
Basic Research
Primary Mentor or Principal Investigator
Todd Bradley
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
20-5-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
20-5-2026 1:00 PM
Abstract Text
Certain respiratory viruses exhibit neurotropism, allowing them to invade the central nervous system (CNS) and induce neuroinflammation. Neurotropic respiratory viruses can lead to a variety of symptoms including encephalitis, seizures, and acute flaccid paralysis, among others. Recent research also suggests that even in non-severe cases, long-term neurological sequelae can persist. Despite the known association of these neurotropic respiratory viruses with short- and long-term neurological manifestations, there are significant knowledge gaps regarding the basic mechanisms of neuropathogenesis that, if addressed, could provide a foundation for the development of prevention and treatment interventions. Previously, we established in vitro models of infection of the CNS by neurotropic respiratory viruses by infecting human excitatory neurons and brain organoids. The goal of this present study was to move towards establishing in vivo models of infection of the CNS by neurotropic respiratory viruses. We developed methods to infect Balb/c mice intranasally with both respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV). Our work revealed that not only do RSV and hMPV infect the lungs of mice, these neurotropic viruses can also infect the brain. Furthermore, infection in the lungs and brain resulted in changes to pro-inflammatory cytokines in these tissues. Overall, these in vivo platforms can facilitate research into virus-host interactions for known and emerging neurotropic viruses. These findings will enable us to continue exploring mechanisms of viral entry to investigate potential therapeutics.
Human Metapneumovirus Infection of the Central Nervous System: In Vitro and In Vivo Models
Certain respiratory viruses exhibit neurotropism, allowing them to invade the central nervous system (CNS) and induce neuroinflammation. Neurotropic respiratory viruses can lead to a variety of symptoms including encephalitis, seizures, and acute flaccid paralysis, among others. Recent research also suggests that even in non-severe cases, long-term neurological sequelae can persist. Despite the known association of these neurotropic respiratory viruses with short- and long-term neurological manifestations, there are significant knowledge gaps regarding the basic mechanisms of neuropathogenesis that, if addressed, could provide a foundation for the development of prevention and treatment interventions. Previously, we established in vitro models of infection of the CNS by neurotropic respiratory viruses by infecting human excitatory neurons and brain organoids. The goal of this present study was to move towards establishing in vivo models of infection of the CNS by neurotropic respiratory viruses. We developed methods to infect Balb/c mice intranasally with both respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV). Our work revealed that not only do RSV and hMPV infect the lungs of mice, these neurotropic viruses can also infect the brain. Furthermore, infection in the lungs and brain resulted in changes to pro-inflammatory cytokines in these tissues. Overall, these in vivo platforms can facilitate research into virus-host interactions for known and emerging neurotropic viruses. These findings will enable us to continue exploring mechanisms of viral entry to investigate potential therapeutics.
Comments
Poster Board Number: 30