Murine cytomegalovirus infection of neural stem cells alters neurogenesis in the developing brain.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) brain infection causes serious neuro-developmental sequelae including: mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and sensorineural hearing loss. But, the mechanisms of injury and pathogenesis to the fetal brain are not completely understood. The present study addresses potential pathogenic mechanisms by which this virus injures the CNS using a neonatal mouse model that mirrors congenital brain infection. This investigation focused on, analysis of cell types infected with mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) and the pattern of injury to the developing brain.

Methodology/principal findings

We used our MCMV infection model and a multi-color flow cytometry approach to quantify the effect of viral infection on the developing brain, identifying specif

SUBMITTER: Mutnal MB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3020957 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature