Dengue Virus Infection of Human Retinal Müller Glial Cells

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Virology
• Immunology

Background:

• Dengue retinopathy is a recognized complication affecting hospitalized patients.
• Research has primarily focused on the blood-retinal barrier's response to dengue virus (DENV).
• The role of retinal Müller glial cells in dengue retinopathy remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine Müller cell susceptibility to DENV infection in vitro.
• To characterize the antiviral, inflammatory, and immunomodulatory responses of Müller cells to DENV.

Main Methods:

• Primary human Müller cells and the MIO-M1 cell line were infected with DENV strains.
• Cell-DENV interactions were analyzed using immunolabelling and quantitative real-time PCR.
• Investigated inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and immunomodulatory (PD-L1, PD-L2) responses.

Main Results:

• Müller cells are susceptible to DENV infection, with variations observed in primary cell isolates.
• DENV infection induced inflammatory and immunomodulatory responses in Müller cells.
• Type I interferon response was less pronounced in the Müller cell line compared to primary cells.

Conclusions:

• Human retinal Müller glial cells mount antiviral and immune responses to DENV infection.
• The cellular response varies based on the DENV strain and individual Müller cell isolates.
• This study provides a foundation for understanding Müller cells' role in dengue retinopathy.