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Experimental mumps virus-induced hydrocephalus: viral neurotropism and neuronal maturity
T Takano1, S Takikita, M Shimada
1Department of Pediatrics, Shiga University of Medical Science, Ohtsu, Japan.
Abstract:
In order to elucidate the relationship between virus neurotropism and neuronal maturity, two experiments were performed. First, mumps virus infectivity was compared among the different developmental stages of hamster brains inoculated with mumps virus by examining the immunohistochemical distribution of mumps virus antigen. Second, brain lesions resulting from mumps virus infection during the period of neuronal migration were histologically and ultrastructurally analyzed. Three groups of Syrian hamsters, Group E12 (fetuses on the 12th day of gestation), and Groups P2 and P30 (2 and 30 days old, respectively), were injected with mumps virus intraplacentally or intracerebrally. In Group P30, mumps virus antigen was observed specifically in ependymal cells and the choroid plexus. In addition to these areas, in Group P2, some neurons in layers II and III of the cerebral cortex also showed virus antigen immunoreactivity. In Group E12, mumps virus antigen accumulated primarily in the neuroepithelial cells within the ventricular zone. Neither specific intranuclear changes related to viral replication nor the formation of complete virions and nucleocapsids was observed. We conclude that mumps virus neurotropism to hamster brains is dependent on the degree of neuronal maturity and that mumps virus can induce an abortive infection and resultant neuronal cell necrosis in the immature developing hamster brain.
Insights
Mumps virus neurotropism in hamster brains depends on neuronal maturity. Immature brains show abortive infections and cell necrosis, while mature brains exhibit limited viral antigen presence.
Area of Science:
- Neurovirology
- Developmental Neuroscience
Background:
- Understanding virus neurotropism is crucial for predicting disease outcomes.
- Neuronal maturity is a potential factor influencing viral infection patterns in the brain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between mumps virus neurotropism and neuronal maturity in developing hamster brains.
- To analyze the impact of mumps virus infection on different developmental stages of the hamster brain.
Main Methods:
- Comparing mumps virus infectivity across various developmental stages (fetal, neonatal, adult) in Syrian hamsters.
- Utilizing immunohistochemistry to detect viral antigen distribution.
- Performing histological and ultrastructural analyses of brain lesions in infected hamsters.
Main Results:
- Mumps virus antigen was detected in ependymal cells and choroid plexus in adult hamsters (Group P30).
- Neonatal hamsters (Group P2) showed viral antigen in cortical neurons, in addition to ependymal cells and choroid plexus.
- Fetal hamsters (Group E12) exhibited viral antigen primarily in ventricular zone neuroepithelial cells.
- No complete virions or intranuclear viral replication changes were observed, suggesting an abortive infection.
Conclusions:
- Mumps virus neurotropism is significantly influenced by the developmental stage and maturity of neurons.
- Immature developing hamster brains are susceptible to abortive mumps virus infections, leading to neuronal cell necrosis.
- The study highlights the dynamic interaction between viral tropism and host neuronal development.