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Making it to the synapse: measles virus spread in and among neurons

V A Young1, G F Rall

  • 1Division of Basic Science, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA.

Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology
|February 11, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Measles virus (MV) can infect the central nervous system (CNS), causing fatal diseases. New lab tools are improving our understanding of MV neuropathogenesis and neuronal infection.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Measles virus (MV) is highly contagious, causing significant global morbidity and mortality.
  • MV can cause rare but fatal central nervous system (CNS) diseases, manifesting weeks to years post-infection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review technical advances in studying MV neuropathogenesis.
  • To discuss current understanding of MV infection and spread within neurons.
  • To compare MV neuronal processes with those of other neurotropic viruses.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing permissive transgenic mouse models for MV neuropathogenesis research.
  • Employing reverse genetics for viral genome manipulation.
  • Leveraging cell biology to understand viral component trafficking within cells.

Main Results:

  • Recent advances have clarified how MV infects, spreads, and persists in the CNS.
  • Key technical tools have been developed to dissect MV neuropathogenesis.
  • Understanding of MV neuronal infection and transport has substantially improved.

Conclusions:

  • While the neuron's unique environment impact on MV is not fully understood, significant progress has been made.
  • Existing tools and concepts pave the way for future breakthroughs in MV neuropathogenesis research.
  • Shared mechanisms between MV and other neurotropic viruses offer broader insights.

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