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Updated: Sep 22, 2025
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High-Resolution 3D Imaging of Rabies Virus Infection in Solvent-Cleared Brain Tissue
Published on: April 30, 2019
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Single-cell transcriptomic classification of rabies-infected cortical neurons
Maribel Patiño1,2,3, Will N Lagos1, Neelakshi S Patne1
1Systems Neurobiology Laboratories, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037.
Summary
Rabies virus tracing can identify neuronal connections, but viral infection alters gene expression. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing shows infected neurons remain identifiable, though marker gene changes require careful interpretation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Modified rabies virus enables monosynaptic input tracing in cortical circuits.
- Identifying cell types of rabies-labeled neurons via transcriptomics is challenging due to potential viral effects on gene expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of rabies virus infection on neuronal gene expression.
- To determine if rabies-infected neurons can still be accurately classified using transcriptomic data.
Main Methods:
- Single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) was employed to profile gene expression in rabies-infected neurons.
- Transcriptome-wide RNA profiles were analyzed to assess correspondence with established cell types.
Main Results:
- Rabies-infected cortical neurons retain transcriptomic identifiability despite global and cell-type-specific transcriptional alterations.
- Differential modulation of neuronal marker gene expression was observed in infected neurons.
Conclusions:
- Transcriptome-wide analysis allows for the classification of rabies-infected neurons.
- Characterizing rabies-infected cells using limited gene sets or single markers requires caution due to altered expression patterns.
