RNA-Seq time-course analysis of neural precursor cell transcriptome in response to herpes simplex Virus-1 infection

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Virology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Neurogenic niches contain neural precursor cells (NPCs) vital for neurogenesis.
• NPCs are susceptible to herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate transcriptome changes in NPCs after HSV-1 infection.
• To compare infected NPCs with uninfected controls at various time points and antiviral conditions.

Main Methods:

• Bulk RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) was employed to analyze gene expression.
• Transcriptomic profiles of infected and uninfected NPCs were compared.

Main Results:

• HSV-1 infection significantly dysregulated genes involved in NPC proliferation, migration, and differentiation.
• The CREB signaling pathway, crucial for neurogenesis and memory, was consistently downregulated, even with antivirals.
• Cholesterol biosynthesis pathways were also significantly downregulated in infected NPCs.

Conclusions:

• HSV-1 infection profoundly impacts neurogenesis at the molecular level.
• Downregulation of CREB signaling and cholesterol biosynthesis are key mechanisms of HSV-1-induced neurogenesis impairment.