Differentiation of human fetal multipotential neural progenitor cells to astrocytes reveals susceptibility factors for JC virus.

ABSTRACT: Viral infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are of increasing concern, especially among immunocompromised populations. Rodent models are often inappropriate for studies of CNS infection, as many viruses, including JC virus (JCV) and HIV, cannot replicate in rodent cells. Consequently, human fetal brain-derived multipotential CNS progenitor cells (NPCs) that can be differentiated into neurons, oligodendrocytes, or astrocytes have served as a model in CNS studies. NPCs can be nonproductively infected by JCV, while infection of progenitor-derived astrocytes (PDAs) is robust. We profiled cellular gene expression at multiple times during differentiation of NPCs to PDAs. Several activated transcription factors show commonality between cells of the brain, in which JCV replicates, and lym

SUBMITTER: Ferenczy MW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3648089 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature