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Published on: August 15, 2012
Restricted expression of measles virus in primary rat astroglial cells
S Schneider-Schaulies1, U G Liebert, K Baczko
1Institut für Virologie und Immunbiologie, Universität Würzburg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Abstract:
Persistent infection of the central nervous system (CNS) with measles virus (MV) is associated with characteristic restrictions of viral envelope gene expression as documented in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), measles inclusion body encephalitis (MIBE), or subacute measles encephalitis (SAME) in rats. To determine whether these restrictions are the result of a long lasting virus-host cell interaction or primarily based on intrinsic brain cell factors MV gene expression was analyzed in primary rat astroglial cultures. It could be shown that MV infection of these cells led to a defective replication cycle with a reduced synthesis of viral envelope proteins and a steep expression gradient of the monocistronic viral mRNAs similar to the findings in brain tissue of SSPE, MIBE, and SAME. This restriction of MV gene expression has not been observed in cells of nonneural origin. We suggest that this cell-type specific regulation of MV gene expression contributes to early events in the establishment of MV persistent infection in CNS tissue.
Insights
Measles virus (MV) infection in rat brain cells shows restricted gene expression, similar to persistent CNS infections. This cell-type specific regulation may initiate long-term MV persistence in the brain.
Area of Science:
- Neurovirology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Persistent measles virus (MV) infection in the central nervous system (CNS) is characterized by restricted viral envelope gene expression.
- This phenomenon is observed in conditions like subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), measles inclusion body encephalitis (MIBE), and subacute measles encephalitis (SAME).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether MV gene expression restrictions in the CNS result from prolonged virus-host cell interaction or intrinsic brain cell properties.
- To analyze MV gene expression in primary rat astroglial cultures to understand cell-type specific regulation.
Main Methods:
- Infection of primary rat astroglial cultures with measles virus (MV).
- Analysis of viral envelope protein synthesis and viral mRNA expression gradients.
- Comparison of findings with MV-infected brain tissue from SSPE, MIBE, and SAME models.
Main Results:
- MV infection of primary rat astroglial cultures resulted in a defective replication cycle.
- Reduced synthesis of viral envelope proteins and a steep expression gradient of viral mRNAs were observed.
- These restrictions were specific to neural cells and not seen in non-neural cells.
Conclusions:
- Intrinsic brain cell factors, not just long-term interaction, appear to regulate MV gene expression.
- Cell-type specific regulation of MV gene expression contributes to the establishment of persistent MV infection in the CNS.
- This study provides insights into the mechanisms underlying measles virus persistence in the brain.
