CD4 and CD8 T cells mediate distinct lethal meningoencephalitis in mice challenged with Tacaribe arenavirus.

ABSTRACT: Neonates are at increased risk of viral encephalopathies that can result in neurological dysfunction, seizures, permanent disability and even death. The neurological damage results from the combined effect of the virus and the immune response it elicits, thus finding tools to facilitate viral clearance from central nervous system (CNS) while minimizing neuron damage remains a critical challenge. Neonatal mice inoculated intraperitoneally with Tacaribe virus (TCRV) develop seizures, hindlimb paralysis and death within 15 days of inoculation. TCRV localizes to the CNS within days of challenge, primarily infecting astrocytes in the cerebellum and brain stem. We show that infection leads to inflammation, T cell and monocyte infiltration into the cerebellar parenchyma, apoptosis of astrocytes,

SUBMITTER: Ireland DD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5214944 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature