Virus receptors in the human central nervous system

The initial event in the life cycle of a virus is its interaction with receptors present on the surface of a cell. Understanding these interactions is important to our understanding of viral tropism, spread, and pathogenesis. This is particularly true of viruses that target the central nervous system as these viruses must maintain a tropism for both the nervous system and for peripheral organs that allow for viral replication and spread to new susceptible hosts. These viruses therefore interact with a diverse set of cells and tissues, interactions that are likely mediated by both common and unique receptors present on each target tissue. In addition, physiological changes in the host can lead to increased or decreased expression of virus receptors, which influence virus trafficking, spread, and tissue specific pathology. This review will focus on the relatively few virus receptor systems that have been described in some level of detail for viruses that target the human central nervous system.