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Early SIV encephalopathy
B Hurtrel1, L Chakrabarti, M Hurtrel
1Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
Abstract:
SIV encephalopathy was studied in rhesus macaques early after intracerebral (IC) or intravenous (IV) inoculation. Although SIV was detected in the brain of all IC-inoculated animals, the CNS showed moderate neuropathological changes. IV-inoculated animals presented a spectrum of brain changes ranging from perivascular infiltrates to multinucleated giant cells. CNS infection was detected as early as seven days post-IV-inoculation, mostly in a perivascular localization. Using combined immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, infected cells were shown to express macrophage markers.
Insights
This study investigated SIV encephalopathy in rhesus macaques. Early central nervous system (CNS) infection, primarily in macrophages, was observed following intravenous inoculation, with varied neuropathological changes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection in macaques serves as a model for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
- Understanding early central nervous system (CNS) involvement is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the early neuropathological changes and cellular tropism of SIV in the CNS of rhesus macaques.
- To compare the effects of intracerebral (IC) versus intravenous (IV) SIV inoculation on the CNS.
Main Methods:
- Rhesus macaques were inoculated with SIV via IC or IV routes.
- Central nervous system (CNS) tissues were analyzed for SIV presence and neuropathological alterations.
- Combined immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were used to identify infected cell types.
Main Results:
- SIV was detected in the CNS of all IC-inoculated animals, though neuropathological changes were moderate.
- IV-inoculated animals exhibited a range of brain lesions, including perivascular infiltrates and multinucleated giant cells.
- CNS infection was evident as early as seven days post-IV-inoculation, with infected cells predominantly localized perivascularly and expressing macrophage markers.
Conclusions:
- Early CNS infection with SIV occurs following IV inoculation in rhesus macaques.
- Macrophages are a primary cell type infected by SIV in the CNS during the early stages of infection.
- The route of inoculation influences the extent and type of neuropathological changes observed in the CNS.