Related Experiment Videos
Pathogenic aspects of measles virus infections
S Schneider-Schaulies1, V ter Meulen
1Institute of Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Germany.
Abstract:
Measles virus (MV) infections normally cause an acute self limiting disease which is resumed by a virus-specific immune response and leads to the establishment of a lifelong immunity. Complications associated with acute measles can, on rare occasions, involve the central nervous system (CNS). These are postinfectious measles encephalitis which develops soon after infection, and, months to years after the acute disease, measles inclusion body encephalitis (MIBE) and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) which are based on a persistent MV infection of brain cells. Before the advent of HIV, SSPE was the best studied slow viral infection of the CNS, and particular restrictions of MV gene expression as well as MV interactions with neural cells have revealed important insights into the pathogenesis of persistent viral CNS infections. MV CNS complication do, however, not large contribute to the high rate of mortality seen in association with acute measles worldwide. The latter is due to a virus-induced suppression of immune functions which favors the establishment of opportunistic infections. Mechanisms underlying MV-mediated immunosuppression are not well understood. Recent studies have indicated that MV-induced disruption of immune functions may be multifactorial including the interference with cytokine synthesis, the induction of soluble inhibitory factors or apoptosis and negative signalling to T cells by the viral glycoproteins expressed on the surface of infected cells, particularly dendritic cells.
Insights
Measles virus (MV) can cause serious central nervous system (CNS) complications like SSPE. MV also suppresses immune functions, increasing mortality from opportunistic infections.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Measles virus (MV) typically causes acute, self-limiting illness with lifelong immunity.
- Rarely, MV can lead to central nervous system (CNS) complications, including postinfectious encephalitis, measles inclusion body encephalitis (MIBE), and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE).
- SSPE was a key model for studying slow viral CNS infections, offering insights into persistent viral infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the pathogenesis of persistent MV infections in the CNS.
- To understand the mechanisms behind MV-induced immunosuppression.
- To investigate how MV glycoproteins on infected cells, like dendritic cells, affect immune responses.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on MV CNS infections and immunosuppression.
- Analysis of MV gene expression and interactions with neural cells.
- Examination of immune system interference, including cytokine synthesis and T-cell signaling.
Main Results:
- MV CNS complications, while severe, are not the primary cause of measles mortality.
- Mortality is mainly due to MV-induced immune suppression, leading to opportunistic infections.
- MV immunosuppression appears multifactorial, involving cytokine interference, inhibitory factors, apoptosis, and T-cell signaling disruption.
Conclusions:
- Persistent MV infections can cause severe, long-term neurological disease (SSPE, MIBE).
- MV-induced immunosuppression is a critical factor in measles-related mortality, distinct from direct CNS effects.
- Understanding MV's impact on the immune system is crucial for addressing measles morbidity and mortality.