Using 2D and 3D pluripotent stem cell models to study neurotropic viruses.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Virology
• Stem Cell Biology

Background:

• Studying viral impacts on the human central nervous system (CNS) is difficult due to limited experimental models.
• Human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), including embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced PSCs (iPSCs), enable directed differentiation into neural cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the utility of PSC-based CNS models for understanding viral pathogenesis.
• To explore how these models can identify viral tropism, host interactions, and facilitate drug screening.
• To discuss the application of PSC models in evaluating therapeutic safety and efficacy.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on PSC-based CNS models.
• Analysis of PSC differentiation into 2D and 3D neural cultures.
• Case examples using viruses like HIV, HSV, ZIKV, HCMV, SARS-CoV-2, and WNV.

Main Results:

• PSC-derived neural models provide insights into viral tropism and cellular responses.
• Both 2D and 3D PSC cultures have unique advantages and limitations for modeling viral CNS infections.
• These models facilitate the investigation of virus-host interactions and drug screening.

Conclusions:

• Human PSC-based CNS models are valuable tools for studying viral pathogenesis and host responses.
• These models complement existing preclinical approaches and support the development of personalized medicine.
• Further development of PSC models will enhance our ability to combat viral CNS diseases.