Related Experiment Videos
Common host genes are activated in mouse brain by Japanese encephalitis and rabies viruses
1Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
Abstract:
This study identified nine genes whose expression is upregulated in the central nervous system (CNS) of mice during Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection. These include: cathepsin S, oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS), GARG49/IRG2, lymphocyte antigen-6A (Ly-6A), macrophage activation gene-2 (Mpa2), early growth response gene1 (Egr1), pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase (P5N), apolipoprotein D (ApoD) and STAT1. Activation of all nine genes during JEV infection was confirmed by Northern blot analysis. JEV replication was inhibited in the majority of mice immunized with Biken JEV vaccine, and these mice also exhibited reduced expression of JEV-inducible CNS genes. Thus, there is a good correlation between virus load and upregulation of host CNS genes. It was also demonstrated that all the CNS genes activated by JEV are also upregulated during rabies virus infection. In addition, GARG49, STAT1, cathepsin S and ApoD are known to be upregulated in the CNS by Sindbis virus, an alphavirus, and this supports the proposal that common host cell pathways are activated in the CNS by different neurotropic viruses.
Insights
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection upregulates nine central nervous system (CNS) genes in mice. Vaccine immunization reduced JEV replication and gene upregulation, correlating virus load with host gene response.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) causes neuroinflammation.
- Understanding host gene responses to viral infections is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify genes upregulated in the CNS during JEV infection.
- Investigate the correlation between JEV load and host gene expression.
- Explore shared host pathways activated by different neurotropic viruses.
Main Methods:
- Northern blot analysis to confirm gene expression.
- JEV immunization in mice.
- Analysis of gene expression in response to JEV, rabies virus, and Sindbis virus.
Main Results:
- Nine CNS genes (cathepsin S, OAS, GARG49/IRG2, Ly-6A, Mpa2, Egr1, P5N, ApoD, STAT1) were upregulated during JEV infection.
- JEV vaccine reduced viral replication and CNS gene upregulation.
- A strong correlation exists between JEV load and host CNS gene upregulation.
- The identified CNS genes are also upregulated during rabies virus and Sindbis virus infections.
Conclusions:
- JEV infection induces specific host gene expression changes in the CNS.
- Host gene upregulation correlates with viral load and can be modulated by vaccination.
- Different neurotropic viruses may activate common host cell pathways in the CNS.