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Published on: July 11, 2020
Activation of ERK/CREB/BDNF pathway involved in abnormal behavior of neonatally Borna virus-infected rats
Chenmeng Li1,2,3, Xiaoyan Xu2,3,4, Xiong Zhang2,3,4
1Department of Neurology, Yongchuan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 402460, China, xiepeng@cqmu.edu.cn.
Background:
Neuropsychiatric disorders are devastating illnesses worldwide; however, the potential involvement of viruses in the pathophysiological mechanisms of psychiatric diseases have not been clearly elucidated. Borna disease virus (BDV) is a neurotropic, noncytopathic RNA virus.
Materials And Methods:
In this study, we infected neonatal rats intracranially with BDV Hu-H1 and Strain V within 24 hours of birth. Psychological phenotypes were assessed using sucrose preference test, open field test, elevated plus maze test, and forced swim test. The protein expression of ERK/CREB/BDNF pathway was assessed by Western blotting of in vitro and in vivo samples.
Results:
Hu-H1-infected rats showed anxiety-like behavior 8 weeks postinfection while Strain V-infected rats demonstrated a certain abnormal behavior. Phosphorylated ERK1/2 was significantly upregulated in the hippocampi of Strain V- and Hu-H1-infected rats compared with control rats, indicating that Raf/MEK/ERK signaling was activated.
Conclusion:
The data suggested that infection of neonatal rats with BDV Hu-H1 and Strain V caused behavioral abnormalities that shared common molecular pathways, providing preliminary evidences to investigate the underlying mechanisms of psychiatric disorders caused by BDV.
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